Slumber

[SOLD] “Slumber.”

Oil on unprimed paper. 9 x 12 in.

2023.

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I was traveling to Mexico City for a wedding when this piece came to me.

Before the trip took place, I was looking at a lot of relief sculptures. I just had found out about the work of Arturo Martini and its impression on me was very fresh in my mind.

While in Mexico City my cousin and I had rented an Airbnb in Cuauhtémoc, a neighborhood in the city with close proximity to many of the cultural institutions that the city is known for. It was a 1 bedroom with a sofa bed, my cousin, Estefania, slept in the bedroom while I found comfort in the living room.

It wasn’t long before I noticed that in one of the windows by the entrance of the building a sign was made in fluorescent pink paper in true south American fashion. It read: “Se venden frazadas magicas” (magic blankets for sale) This sent my imagination flying immediately but I’ll save you the trouble of explaining what a magic blanket truly is.

This perfectly encapsulated how I’ve felt about Mexico City since I lived here for a year back in 2015, one of the most difficult years of my life.

A whole literary movement made its mark on the world on a feeling I’ve always felt palpable in a city like Mexico City. There’s a mystery to it, its eerie. Belief systems are made up and manufactured in every corner of the city. Superstitions abound and one can feel as if you’re walking amongst ghosts and spirits at any given time.

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The painting depicts a fictional relief sculpture of a man sleeping. While bird-like entities fly in and out of the picture frame signaling the dreams the subject may be having.

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January 12th, 2024 – 4:06PM.