Hulda Guzmán: Miracle Fruits Hulda Guzmán

In her paintings, the artist subverts the tradition of landscape painting by denying its exotic and idyllic representation, choosing instead to treat nature as a protagonist territory in which all elements are in interdependent relationships. Relationships of affection and the surroundings of the place where she lives are recurring themes in her paintings, in which tropical and fantastic settings are inhabited by a variety of characters––real or imaginary. Her works retain a biographical character, imbued with humor and a dreamlike or theatrical appeal.

In Guzmán’s work, scenes in which humanity, architecture, and nature coexist in balance and harmony celebrate the environment while inviting us to reflect on pressing issues such as the climate crisis and human responsibility for the preservation of the planet. “This exhibition addresses the interconnectedness of the natural world with collective life and a sense of community. Our disconnection from nature is the primary cause of climate and ecological collapse,” says the artist.

Curated by Amanda Carneiro, curator, MASP, the show takes as its starting point the canvas Come Dance – Asked Nature Kindly, which was incorporated into the MASP collection in 2020, in the context of the curatorial cycle dedicated to Histories of Dance. The painting depicts a great party set amidst a dense and vibrant tropical forest, in which human figures interact in various ways: the artist is hugging a tree, a child is resting next to a dog, people are dancing, bathing and kissing. The title of the work reinforces reciprocity, as dance is not just about the joy of movement, it is also a choreography of interdependence, a gesture that shows that life on Earth cannot thrive in isolation or domination. In addition to this work, the exhibition also features 17 other paintings, 8 of which are new works made especially for the occasion.