Fantastic realism permeates Christian Ruiz Berman’s maze paintings – Huge
“I grew up in a magical realist tradition, not only in literature and painting, but also in the school of thought and culture,” said Christian Ruiz Berman. The Mexican artist is endlessly interested in the “surreal nature trapped between two worlds”, conveying his experiences of immigration and adapting to new environments through his painting practices, including his current home in upstate New York.
For Ruiz Berman, magical realism is a way to transform his reality into intensive surreal works, compositions that become a sign of reference and memory. From Mexican fresco traditions and Latin American folk art to Taoism and Buddhism to poetry and Japanese prints, he has a great influence, all of which blends his works.
The resulting painting becomes a place to encounter unexpected pairings and mysterious connections. In Ruiz Berman’s work, layering is not about giving the foreground objects and textures, but a way of describing the relationship between all elements.
“Ultimately, my work is a very reflective of the collision of Eastern and Latin American cultures, arts and ideas, just like my personal fusion of Mexico and the United States,” he told Colossal. “The existence of high intentions and caring, but also playful and strange, always makes me feel connected to East Asian culture, especially with places like Japan and Tibet.”
Although Ruiz Berman provides many entry points for a painting, his work provides a strict path, but may be a maze. For example, the longing raccoons in “God Given to God” may first attract the audience’s eyes, but they will soon lead to the fashionable lilies they offer, and the Central American stone statues are objects they revered. Another sitting figure hovered to their left, with wooden granite, granite and vibrant swirling agate.
Combining clean lines and strict geometry, this mixture of symbols is undoubtedly eclectic and can use a larger narrative. He shared:
I studied everyone, animals and objects not only are important components of the current moment, but also elements entangled in larger instruments that are constantly changing and adapting… Magic and surprises always occur due to shared experiences, cross-cultural inspiration, and subversion of established tendencies and identities. I paint because I am fascinated by the way it can be attracted by the endless diversity and inherent tension of the network of life.
The artist says animals are often included in the “stewards of human culture.” For example, Central American mythology tends to position the jaguar as a respected protector who can move between the worlds: people of trees and water, day and night, and places of life and death. Birds are also often regarded as messengers and guides. Ruiz Berman depicts these creatures not in their natural habitat, but embedded in anomalous compositions, trying to redefine their meaning and expand the narrative that everyone symbolizes.
If you’re in Miami, you can see some of Ruiz Berman’s work this summer at Mindy Solomon Gallery. Next spring, he will be exhibiting artworks in Basel Hong Kong with Proyectos Monclov and Harper’s Gallery. Before that, head to his website and Instagram for more information.
