Espejo Sideral

Artist Statement

I am Nicolás Arias Gutiérrez, an artist, researcher, and writer from Medellín. My work blends artistic expression with philosophical exploration, influenced by Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, tantric traditions, and my background in law. These fields underpin my exploration of impermanence, interconnectedness, and the nature of the self, challenging the consumer-driven forces of modernity that promote a mechanistic individualism at the expense of ethical engagement. My art serves as an invitation to reconsider our habitual modes of existence, fostering slow, intentional experiences that deepen meaningful connections and ethical awareness.

Philosophical Underpinnings and Artistic Vision

Central to my work is an engagement with Buddhist concepts like anātman (non-self), śūnyatā (absence of fixed and unchanging essences), and pratītyasamutpāda (dependent origination). These principles challenge fixed identities, dissolving dualistic perspectives, and offering an inquiry into impermanence. Indo-Tibetan Dzogchen teachings particularly inform my practice, emphasizing the importance of recognizing a deeper, non-conceptual awareness, notable for its primordial purity (non reactive, or overwhelmed by negative emotions). This philosophical framework shapes both my research and the symbolic language of my art.

Creative Process and Artistic Expression

My creative process is a meditative journey; I work with various media—charcoal, graphite, printmaking, photography, and painting—blending traditional and experimental techniques. My art uses spiritual and cultural symbols to provoke introspection, encouraging viewers to question not just what they see, but how they see. Each piece serves as a threshold for presence and reflection.

Inspired by both Eastern spiritual motifs and Western classical traditions, I integrate elements from historical prints and natural landscapes to create works that explore themes of time and transformation. Muted color palettes and meticulous detail invite viewers into a contemplative space.

Themes of Relationality and Hybridity

My work explores themes of convergence and hybridity, merging diverse subjects and forms. Inspired by the “grottesche” style of Italian art, I blur the lines between the natural and symbolic. Through this interplay of seemingly disparate elements, my art reflects the interdependence of all that exists in the mind.

Reflections on the Human Experience

I am intimately concerned with questions of time, perception, and selfhood. My art invites viewers to confront these inquiries through a slow, intentional engagement, sparking reflection on life’s mysteries. Each piece seeks to evoke meaning-making processes, offering a space for viewers to wonder, reflect, and awaken their curiosity about the world around them.

Further Context

Born in Medellín, Colombia, in 1991, my background in law and philosophy laid the foundation for my multidisciplinary approach. My overarching creative project, Espejo Sideral, embodies this evolving vision, aiming to help others reconnect with their sense of wonder and explore the boundaries of perception and selfhood.

Techniques and Mediums

My photographic practice ranges from digital methods to large-format analog photography, exploring themes of time, landscape, and ethical concerns. I also specialize in printmaking techniques—etching, aquatint, mezzotint, linocut, cyanotype, monotype, and photogravure—where I experiment with texture and form. In drawing and painting, I use materials like charcoal, graphite, and silverpoint to explore themes of mystery and transformation, echoing something primal about the relationship between humans and nature (i. e. wood, fire, tools, creativity).