"Basura En La Ciudad" Abstract Artwork By Mexican Artist Maricruz H. Covarrubias

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"Basura En La Ciudad" Acrylic on canvas abstract artwork by Mexican artist Maricruz Hernadez Covarrubias 1947-2016

Painting measurements: width 47'' … Read more "Basura En La Ciudad" Acrylic on canvas abstract artwork by Mexican artist Maricruz Hernadez Covarrubias 1947-2016

Painting measurements: width 47'' height 35.25''

"Maricruz H. Covarrubias – Biography

Early Life and Background: Maricruz H. Covarrubias was born in 1947 in Mexico City. Growing up in a culturally rich environment, she was deeply influenced by the vibrant colors, traditions, and landscapes of her homeland. From an early age, Covarrubias demonstrated a passion for art, often drawing inspiration from her surroundings and the folk art, murals, and indigenous motifs that were integral to Mexican culture. Encouraged by her family, she first pursued and completed her B.A. in Economics at UNAM in Mexico City. Shortly afterward, she took an interest in art and began her career as a professional artist. Covarrubias earned a degree in Fine Arts at the Escuela Nacional de Pintura, Escultura y Grabado “La Esmeralda” INBA (National Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking School “The Emerald” of INBA) from 1977 to 1982. She then earned her master’s degree at the National Visual Arts School of the National University of Mexico (UNAM).

Artistic Influences and Style: Covarrubias’ work is deeply rooted in Mexican heritage, blending traditional and contemporary styles. She drew inspiration from artists such as Luis Gutierrez, Maestro Francisco de Santiago Silva, Maestro Javier Anzures, Paul Klee, and master printmaker Krishna Reddy. As Maestro Francisco de Santiago Silva details in one of his descriptions of Covarrubias' work: Her art allows us to appreciate the result of arduous and systematic labor, sustained by the passion to express the experiences, concerns, and the way of seeing and feeling the surprising, violent, and convulsive events of our time.

Linked to the process of her artistic development, she was taught under the teachings of Krishna Reddy at NYU in New York City. It is also clear to affirm that her works have achieved a dignity and sobriety that go far beyond technical merit—"worthy of mention"—because in her case, they transcend mere correctness and mastery of craft. Her paintings, far removed from any specific or determined school of style, are based on a solid knowledge of pictorial composition and drawing, formal elements that constitute the "orthography" of visual expression.

Maricruz transmits with color a sensation of unease and anguish, typical of the times we live in, making us participants in an aesthetic message that any valuable and enduring work of art must contain. The fullness, color, and form of her work distinguish and elevate her art among other artists. Through her formal language and sensitivity to color, she invites the viewer, informed or not, to engage with her proposal and participate in the painting. Her work has a captivating, suggestive, and uplifting force. These characteristics, typical of contemporary painting, do not limit themselves to obvious figurativeness but offer the viewer a work that is digested and interpreted. Covarrubias' art exposes, once again, essential traits that suggest and captivate.

Her work is sufficient to quell the artist's unrest. However, for the "complete human being," economic and social well-being are not enough; there exists an intimate psychological and existential need to find beauty in reflection and the enhancement of intellectual life—the inner life that distinguishes man from the irrational. For her irrepressible effort to express a violent reality in plastic language, her work is the product of spirit, intelligence, and dreams, characteristic of a tireless artist. Covarrubias is known for using oil, acrylic, watercolor, viscosity, and Hayter printing techniques to craft deeply personal and political narratives.

Career and Exhibitions: Covarrubias began her professional career in 1985. Throughout her career, she was selected for several important exhibitions in Mexico City and beyond. In 1986, she participated in the "First Exhibitions, September 19," held at the Museo Carrillo Gil, and in 1987 at the National Salon of Plastic Arts at the Modern Art Museum. Other notable exhibitions include the Third Biennial of Printmaking and Drawing "Diego Rivera" in Guanajuato and the First Salon of Miniprint at the National Museum of Printmaking, INBA.

Internationally, Covarrubias has been featured in various prestigious exhibitions, such as the Miniprint International in Cadaqués, from 1985 to 1989, and again in 1992. Her work has also been shown at the Marcuse Pfeifer Gallery in New York, and the Michael Ingbar Gallery, New York, USA. Additionally, she was selected for the International Contest "Intergrafia 91" in Katowice, Poland, which was later exhibited in La Louvière, Belgium, and Augsburg, Austria. In 1992, Covarrubias participated in the Miniprint International exhibition at the Windfield Arts Museum, England.

Other exhibitions include the "Exhibition of Group 9." Gallery of the Tlatilco Museum, Naucalpan de Juárez, State of Mexico. "Innovations in Printmaking," National School of Painting, Sculpture, and Printmaking (ENPEG), National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA), Mexico City. Covarrubias also received recognition from the Mexican Institute of Culture and the Youth Athenaeum, along with the newspaper Diario de México, in the contest for "The Best Students in Mexico." Additional exhibitions include "Innovations in Printmaking," Engraving Workshop, Calographic Engraving Workshop "La Esmeralda," Metropolitan Gallery, Autonomous Metropolitan University (UAM), Mexico City. Covarrubias also exhibited with the National Council of UNESCO at the Patzcuaro Gallery, Patzcuaro, Michoacán, and at Tierra Adentro Gallery, Mexico City. In 1985, she was selected in the Biennial Graphics Section 85, National Hall of Plastic Arts, INBA Gallery, Mexico City, and in the 5th Mini Print International Contest at Cadaqués Engraving Workshop, Port Gallery, Barcelona, Spain. Covarrubias also participated in the "Subasta Pro-Damnificados" (Pro-Damned Auction) Exhibition at the Chopo Museum, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Mexico City. Other key exhibitions include those at the Graduate Studies Division of the National School of Visual Arts, Mexico City; the Stamp Section 88 at the National Hall of Plastic Arts, INBA, Museum of Modern Art, Mexico City; "Synthesis of Our Time," Cultural Center Ágora Naucalli, Naucalpan, State of Mexico; Foro Cultural Contreras, Sociocultural Department, Magdalena Contreras Delegation, Mexico City; Alianza Francesa de Mexico A.C.; and "Expomania" and "Los Colores De Agua" at the Chopo Museum, Mexico City.

Maricruz H. Covarrubias tragically passed away in 2016 in Mexico City, but as part of her legacy, her work continues to stand out for its depth and detail. Through her formal language and her sensitivity to color, she invites the viewer to engage with the artwork, whether it be drawing or painting. Her work possesses a captivating strength that proposes and suggests—

characteristics of contemporary painting that go beyond mere figurativeness. As with all things in life, regardless of social and economic conditions, man always harbors an intense psychological need to find beauty in reflection and the expansion of intelligence, in an inner life that, in some way, distinguishes the individual from the irrational. See less