A Tribute to Pepe Soho
In an emotional light and sound ceremony, friends, audience, and colleagues gathered at Pepe Soho’s current exhibition, Mystika Inmersivo, to thank him for his time on Earth and celebrate the profound legacy of light and love for Mexico he left through his art. The renowned Mexican artist and photographer passed away on October 9th, and a special event was held to honor his memory as he would have turned 53 on October 20th.
Mystika: The Final Message
Magdalia Martínez, the producer of Mystika and a close friend of Soho, shared the deep connection he felt with this space, which now serves as a living testament to his spirit.
“We often talked about it,” Martínez revealed, “He said, ‘Maybe I won’t make it this time, but I feel like I’ll live on here.’ His spirit, his essence, is impregnated in the space, and he always called it his temple of light.”
The exhibition, which invites visitors to explore the glory of nature, takes on an even more powerful meaning when considering Soho’s own voice about the creative process that birthed it—a personal and transformative journey of “returning home.”
The Creative Journey: From Pain to Resilience
In a written piece for the exhibition, Soho detailed how the Mystika project emerged from a period of pain and resilience:
“For me, this Mystika museum represents that journey of returning home, that personal reconstruction, that transformation,” he wrote.
Soho described how, after a meditation retreat, he embarked on a journey to India that ended abruptly with a severe accident in the Himalayas. The complications, surgeries, and pain led him to a deep despair: “My heart, body, and mind felt completely defeated. I stopped thinking about returning home; I only thought of leaving this world of suffering.”
Photography became his lifeline. What began as an attempt to occupy his mind for ten or twenty minutes of daily lucidity turned into a passion that reignited his will to live.
“My photography teachers were amazed by my newfound passion. I never told them that it was saving my life, bringing me back home, and that my camera was the primary tool in my transformation,” confessed the artist.
The turning point was a sunrise in Antarctica, surrounded by the stillness of an ice continent. He broke down in tears of gratitude, and photography became a “tribute to these natural creations.”
The concept of “Liberation,” embodied in one of his most iconic pieces, revealed the greatest challenge of his life: the neurological aftermath of the accident.
“This condition paralyzes different muscles in my body, which disconnected from my brain during the accident,” explained Soho. This struggle was represented through the metaphor of a frozen horse in a painting, yearning to break free and become the constellation of Pegasus. The horse’s journey symbolizes “returning to unity with the universe, freeing oneself from this paralysis, and achieving maximum realization.”
“I believe all humans choose to come here despite the difficulties or challenges we face; we all have a mission,” Soho affirmed. His final message to his audience is an invitation to embrace one’s will:
“Remember: you and I, we are all Pegasus, and what defines us in this life is our will to spread our wings.”
The Legacy of the Alchemist and Self-Love
For Martínez, Soho’s art was always guided by the soul, touching the spiritual and philosophical without fear of criticism.
“He adored horses and would say, ‘The horse broke its spine.’ It’s time to make reverence and say enough is enough,” Martínez commented, referring to the peace with which he transcended.
The producer emphasized that Soho “lived a thousand lives in 53 years” and that his most important message revolves around self-love:
“Let them love themselves, follow their dreams, discover their passions, and give it their all because life is fleeting, and we’re here to love what we do.”
Soho’s team assured that his legacy and “artistic medicine” will not only continue in Mexico but also be promoted worldwide, carrying Mystika to the rest of the globe. Soho departed “peacefully,” leaving behind an oeuvre that serves as a testament to how pain can be alchemy for the light.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Pepe Soho? Pepe Soho was a renowned Mexican artist and photographer known for his powerful and spiritual art.
- What was the significance of the Mystika exhibition? The Mystika exhibition was a deeply personal and transformative journey for Soho, symbolizing his return home after overcoming severe challenges.
- What was the concept behind Soho’s art? Soho’s art was guided by his soul, focusing on spiritual and philosophical themes without fear of criticism.
- What was the final message Soho shared with his audience? Soho’s final message emphasized self-love and the importance of embracing one’s will to achieve personal growth and fulfillment.
- How will Soho’s legacy continue? Soho’s team plans to promote his “artistic medicine” both in Mexico and globally, ensuring his legacy lives on through the Mystika exhibition.
