HULDA GUZMÁN AT MASP: A CONTEMPORARY LOOK AT LANDSCAPE

In her paintings, Hulda Guzmán (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1984) subverts the tradition of landscape painting by denying its exotic and idyllic representation, choosing instead to treat nature as a protagonist territory in which all elements are in interdependent relationships. Relationships of affection and the surroundings of the place where she lives are recurring themes in her paintings, in which tropical and fantastic settings are inhabited by a variety of characters––real or imaginary. Her works retain a biographical character, imbued with humor and a dreamlike or theatrical appeal.

In Guzmán’s work, scenes in which humanity, architecture, and nature coexist in balance and harmony celebrate the environment while inviting us to reflect on pressing issues such as the climate crisis and human responsibility for the preservation of the planet. “This exhibition addresses the interconnectedness of the natural world with collective life and a sense of community. Our disconnection from nature is the primary cause of climate and ecological collapse,” says the artist.

Curated by Amanda Carneiro, curator, MASP, the show takes as its starting point the canvas Come Dance – Asked Nature Kindly, which was incorporated into the MASP collection in 2020, in the context of the curatorial cycle dedicated to Histories of Dance. The painting depicts a great party set amidst a dense and vibrant tropical forest, in which human figures interact in various ways: the artist is hugging a tree, a child is resting next to a dog, people are dancing, bathing and kissing. The title of the work reinforces reciprocity, as dance is not just about the joy of movement, it is also a choreography of interdependence, a gesture that shows that life on Earth cannot thrive in isolation or domination. In addition to this work, the exhibition also features 17 other paintings, 8 of which are new works made especially for the occasion.

Apart from tropical landscapes, the artist also produces self-portraits, establishing a direct relationship with her surroundings. Although an autobiographical character is very present in her work, her canvases also incorporate a wide repertoire of references from the history of art, such as modernist architecture and furniture, surrealism, the minimalism of ancient Chinese painting and Mexican ex-votos.  

“Guzmán’s work is often a combination of direct observation and collage of people and characters, composing scenes that move between the intimate and the unexpected. In her paintings, family members, friends, and animals share space with figures she gathers from various sources, such as paintings by different authors, photos, or videos found on social media,” says Amanda Carneiro.

Hulda Guzmán (Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, 1984) studied fine arts and illustration at the Escuela de Diseño Altos de Chavón, in the Dominican Republic, and completed her bachelor’s degree in visual arts at the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas, in Mexico City. She has exhibited at institutions such as the Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (Colorado Springs), the Denver Art Museum, the Art Museum of the Americas (Washington, D.C.), the Museo de Arte y Diseño Contemporáneo (San José, Costa Rica), the Museo de Arte Moderno (Santo Domingo) and the Pérez Art Museum (Miami). In 2019, she was part of the Dominican Republic pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale.

Hulda Guzmán: Miracle Fruits will be on display until August 24, 2025, at MASP, Avenida Paulista, 1578 – Bela Vista, São Paulo (Brazil).