Works by Manuel Felguérez

Manuel Felguérez is one of the greatest abstract artists in Mexico. On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Mexico this year, the Ministry of Culture of China and the Embassy of Mexico in China jointly held the exhibition of his recent works. The 34 pieces of exhibited works include oil painting on canvas, lithograph, copperplate, silk screen print, small statues and some photos that give a record of some of his large public art works in Mexico City in recent years such as Gate of Time, Archer and Caraveras Wall. In the light and shadow of the exhibition hall, white, black, grey, passionate red and light brown have formed the tone of the exhibited works, while Manuel Felguérez imbues the simple geometrical patterns, such as circle, rectangle, triangle and pentagon with the subjective and poetic meaning.

“On the other side of the earth, China is the most distant country at the end. I once believed that I would never visit this mysterious and legendary country in my life.” Manuel Felguérez told the journalist. From his age of 80 on, he arranges the “touring exhibition” of his works. When his works were on the returning way to Mexico via Madrid, Berlin and Paris, he received the notice of holding exhibition in China. “My works have traveled in more places than I have. Usually, my works go to somewhere and I will not be there in person. But I never want to miss China and I shall come here with my works.” He said in a joking way, “My works come to China thanks to costly transportation expenses. They all manifest my diversity of creation to the full.”

Frankly, Manuel Felguérez admitted his little understanding of Chinese arts. In Mexico, people seldom have a chance to see the exhibited works of Chinese artists. His limited Chinese art information is mainly acquired through books without the concrete and perceptual experiences. “As an artist, you must be continuously creative.” He said, “Art is to be felt and there is no need of translation for the sake of communication. If the audiences can have a spiritual dialogue at the sight of my works and develop a certain kind of emotion, then the purpose of communication is achieved. Whether I am a Mexican or Chinese, art is always beyond the national boundary.”