Get Smart About Art: María Berrío

This post has been in my drafts folder since February!  I miss the days of cranking out blog posts, but I also acknowledge that my priorities have shifted during life with a little one.  With all of that said, enjoy....

I recently visited the ICA Boston (Institute of Contemporary Art) and was charmed by the large scale mixed media collges of María Berrío.  I was with my three-year-old, so I only got to take a few pictures (you can see them below), but I went home and did some research. And I thought I'd share that research with you!

First, a little bit about María Berrío:

New York–based artist María Berrío (born 1982 in Bogotá, Colombia) crafts her large-scale paintings through a unique, meticulous process of collaging torn pieces of Japanese paper with watercolor to create riveting, magical scenes. 

María Berrío is a Colombian-born artist known for her intricate and vibrant collage works. Born in 1982 in Bogotá, Colombia, Berrio grew up surrounded by the country's rich cultural heritage and diverse artistic traditions. Her passion for art developed at a young age, and she later pursued formal training in fine arts.

After completing her undergraduate studies in Bogotá, Berrío moved to New York City to further her artistic education. She enrolled at the Parsons School of Design, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. The experience of living in a new and bustling metropolis greatly influenced her artistic style and subject matter.

Berrío's artwork is characterized by its blending of traditional and contemporary elements. She combines techniques such as collage, painting, and drawing to create visually stunning compositions. Spurred by contemporary social and political realities, Berrío lists poetry, folklore, and the realms of magic as her sources of inspiration to imagine alternative views of present-day realities, especially those faced by migrants, women, and children.

One of Berrío's signature artistic processes involves using handmade paper to collage. She meticulously cuts and layers the paper. The result is a complex tapestry of images that invite viewers to delve into the intricate details and narratives within her pieces.  With her distinct style and captivating storytelling, Berrío's artwork leaves a lasting impression on viewers, inviting them to contemplate the complexities of the human experience.

This is a lovely interview with her that covers some of her process:

You can get a peek at a 2017 gallery exhibit of her work here:

And finally, here are the photos I took at the ICA exhibit:

As you can probably tell from my photos, the scale of the pieces is totally monumental. And yet there are so many little details to look at. Very inspiring!

Thanks for stopping by!