Mexican artist María José Romero unveils a powerful visual exhibition titled “FÉNIX” at Le Laboratoire, transcending mere technique to become a collective and personal rite of transformation.
Embracing the Indomitable Force: Fire as a Spiritual Experience
Romero’s encounter with fire in her creative process was not merely a technical exercise; it was an “intense spiritual and intellectual journey.” This experience led her to a deep self-discovery, as she explains: “I found my strength and a desire to penetrate the essence of things, trying to uncover their secrets.”
The Duality of Creation and Destruction: Caos as Evolutionary Force
“FÉNIX” showcases the prominent presence of the feminine body intertwined with nature, a dialogue that Romero connects directly to her own conception of the feminine as a regenerative power. She highlights, “The strength of the feminine has always amazed me—this ability to conceive and ‘give birth,’ to regenerate, nurture, and shape things, as well as destroy, devour, discard, and end everything.”
Resilience: The Balance of Resistance and Renewal
Resilience permeates the entire series, prompting Romero to distinguish between two states of consciousness: resistance and renewal. Resistance is the impulse to survive, involving tension, containment, and defense. Renewal, however, is “letting go of the struggle,” allowing things to die so that newness can emerge. It’s not mere survival but “returning to life from another place, rooted in confidence in one’s potential.”
The Alchemy: Transforming Personal Substance
For Romero, alchemy is the central concept that elevates her painting beyond mere technique to a genuine transformative ritual. This process occurs when the work “emerges from consciousness,” with the goal of transmuting not just pigments but also “energy, emotion, and consciousness.”
The Gold: A Metaphor for Incorruptible Essence and Unity
Gold symbolizes the alchemical journey’s culmination, the purified state achieved through crisis fire, exemplified by the phoenix. Romero employs this term metaphorically, representing unity and the incorruptible essence that persists amidst destruction.
Conclusion
María José Romero’s “FÉNIX” exhibition at Le Laboratoire is a testament to artistic evolution and resilience, inviting viewers to embrace transformation and adaptation in a rapidly changing world. The exhibition runs until November 22nd.
