The first time I saw Enrique Pichardo's artwork was an Instagram which over the years has become the perfect social media platform for artists. Pichardo's art is bold and at times very complex but playful which is what impressed me the most about his paintings. An abstract artist from Mexico City, he creates with no boundaries while staying true to his artistic style.
Artist Enrique Pichardo. All Rights Reserved.
Enrique Pichardo: I started painting when I was very young and I remember experimenting with clay and paints. I took courses at the art academy but I consider myself a self-taught artist. I followed, obsessively, artists I greatly admired. I've been a professional artist for 20 years where I've made a living through my artwork.
Lucy: What were the first paintings at the beginning of your career?
Enrique Pichardo: I went through an experimentation phase because I wasn't clear on what I wanted to do. I started a series of minimalist paintings like "Recuerdo Fijo" (Fixed Memory) and "Nocturne" (see below). In them I truly felt reflected. Paintings so simple they "overwhelmed" me in just a few paint strokes. In them I found my artistic style. I made a lot of them but I gave them away or sold them without documenting them.
Mexico's Current Art Scene
Lucy: What do you think of Mexico's contemporary art scene in this century?
Enrique Pichardo: I'm a fervent believer that Mexico is a global force in contemporary art. We have so many artists with incredible talent.
Lucy: I have lost count on the number of Mexican artists I follow on Instagram that create art which is exciting and beautiful.
Enrique Pichardo: Yes and also we have an ancestral tradition of genius artists so it's in our blood and culture. A fountain of creativity that will never cease to exist, all artistic styles are represented: traditional, contemporary, counterculture and emerging. Mexico has a vast territory of artistic resources. I think many opportunities have been opened to us. About 20 years ago when I first started painting, you had to break into these closed art "circles" of "authorized" art to survive, to make a living as an artist. But now we have social media and technology [Skype, Google Hangout, Zoom etc.]. Instagram is a powerful social media tool, like an art gallery, that allows you to show your to the world. And it's free! There are a lot more ways to show your work now than preceding generations of artists. Recently I found out that México has the most art galleries in the world! I think I'm in the right place and the right time and I'm very lucky.
MUROS
Lucy: You participated in an event called MUROS in Valle de Bravo, Mexico. Would you tell me more about it? Enrique Pichardo: MUROS is an art festival that's about 3 years old. It's an amazing and fresh approach to bring art closer to the people. A group of artists creates large-scale paintings in the street where there is live-music all around us. Restaurants also participate where they serve food outdoors.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF ENRIQUE PICHARDO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Enrique Pichardo: Everyone has a great time as artist and spectator. Ever since they first invited me to participate in MUROS, I loved the art festival concept. It breaks with the solemnity that is characteristic of art galleries and museums with its formalities and etiquette. It's an amazing event!
VIDEO COURTESY OF ENRIQUE PICHARDO. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
You can follow Enrique Pichardo on www.instagram.com/pichardo_egea
His website is: www.enriquepichardo.com
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