Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa

Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa (1978, Guatemala) creates dreamlike works of art taking elements from literature, folklore, magic and childhood memories. His work explores cultural identity and history, trauma, colonisation and the connection between humans and nature. He uses various media such as performance, film, sculpture, painting, and installation. The result is strongly visual, often with a humorous, playful or absurd side. Certain elements—such as masks or the act of sleeping and dreaming—recur regularly throughout his oeuvre and are thus given layered meanings, whether literally, figuratively, philosophically, or as metaphors.

Ramírez-Figueroa's work is rooted in experimental theatre and has a political-activist side, often linked to the history of his country. The tragic civil war in Guatemala (1960–1996) is one of the recurring subjects. In his more recent work, associations are broader and reflect ecology, the relationship between humans and nature and the history of raw materials such as tea, cocoa and silk.

The exhibition at M shows a selective overview of his diverse artistic practice, with installations, sculptures, woodcuts and films. A new sculpture developed by the artist will also be presented. This new work deals with the complex history of silk in Guatemala in both a figurative and narrative way, touching on the Mayan culture and with links to China, Mexico and Spain, among others. The production and presentation of this work is supported by M.

This is not the first time M has shown work by Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa. In 2017 and 2018 he presented some of his films and a performance during the Playground festival.

Curator: Eva Wittocx

Naufus Ramírez-Figueroa is represented by Mendes Wood DM (São Paulo, Brussels, New York), Sies + Höke (Düsseldorf), Proyectos Ultravioleta (Guatemala City).