Mareo Rodriguez
Portals of Light and Matter:
A Metaphysical Journey through Nature and Spirit.
The sinuous lines in nature are more than divisions; they are
conduits of transformation, guiding us from shadow to light.
Mareo's work pays homage to nature, blending landscape abstraction with a spiritual exploration that captures the dichotomy between "Matter" in the physical realm and "Light" in the quest for the ethereal and sacred. His creative journey seeks to transform the sublime essence of the landscape into a metaphysical and spiritual experience.
The Portals Series embodies this journey, delving into the symbolic significance of the wavy line—a motif ingrained in the natural world, seen in mountains, rivers, and lightning. These sinuous lines, in Mareo's interpretation, represent both separation and connection, serving as gateways to the unknown and the void. Through various artistic mediums, including painting, sculpture, installation, and digital media, he conveys the dual nature of these cracks, portraying them as symbols of both wounds and healing. The alchemical process of transformation unfolds within these portals, illuminating internal shadows and guiding viewers toward newfound light and consciousness.
Through his art, Mareo invites the audience to engage in a profound exploration of nature and the deeper mysteries of existence, where division and unity intertwine, and fissures become pathways to healing and evolution.
PORTALS – Light Emerging from the Void
PORTALS at @load.gallery blended digital and physical art, exploring cracks as spaces of vulnerability and transformation. Mareo's work reveals these fissures as openings where light emerges, redefining the void and inviting deeper reflection.
PORTAL DANUBE – Light Within the Industrial Past
A site-specific installation for @inotafestival, Portal Danube transformed a 60-meter-high cooling tower in the former Inota power plant, Hungary. This luminous crack, part of the Portals series, pays tribute to the Danube River, flowing through Europe's landscapes and histories.
 Concept for an installation, 2024.Courtesy of the artist |  PORTAL 73, 2024.Courtesy of the artist |  Concept for an installation, 2024.Courtesy of the artist |  Istanbul art triennale, 2022.Courtesy of the artist |
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 Crack of Light sculpture, 2024.Courtesy of the artist |  "Walength" Times art museum, China. 2022.Courtesy of the artist |
BIO
Mario Rodriguez "MAREO" (born in Mexico City, 1981) is a multidisciplinary artist who grew up in Colombia and is currently based in Barcelona. He holds a B.A. in Architecture from UPB Medellin (2004), a master's degree in Design from Elisava Barcelona (2006), and a master's degree in Arts from UNA Buenos Aires (2013). Mareo has exhibited widely, participating in solo and group exhibitions across North America, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
PUBLICATIONS
Mareo’s work has been featured in various notable publications. His first book, "Expansion," was published in 2018 by the Italian gallery E3 Contemporanea and Vanillaedizioni. In 2020, he self-edited "Matter is Condensed Light," a personal exploration of his artistic philosophy. Most recently, in 2022, his work was included in "VC 03," featuring the "Portals" exhibition by Valletta Contemporary in Malta. He is currently working in the edition of his new book titled "Portals".
BEYOND BORDERS
Mareo's artistic journey spans continents, with notable projects including Arte nel Bosco in Italy, site-specific installations at the Sharjah Islamic Arts Festival, and a monumental piece at the Istanbul Triennial. His innovative approach led to collaborations with cultural icons like Deepak Chopra during the Illumia NFT event in Miami and a group exhibition featuring Christo and Jeanne Claude at Hexton Gallery, Aspen. His work has also been featured in the Wavelength exhibition at Times Art Museum, Beijing, China, and the Inota Light Festival in Hungary. His art is represented in prestigious collections such as the META Foundation in Malta and the Black Gold Museum in Saudi Arabia, establishing his presence on the global stage.
The Monolith, 2021 – A Portal to the Infinite
Created with @ivanjcruz, The Monolith explores the tension between opposites—attraction and void, uncertainty and possibility. Exhibited at Miami Art Week 2021 as part of ILLUMIA, curated by @msmuse and inaugurated by @deepakchopra.
MONOLITH III – Portals Series
A standing sculpture on a pedestal, Monolith III emerges from the silent abyss, where darkness gives voice to light. Part of the Portals Series, it embodies the tension between void and illumination. 🎥: @eltiodelaluz