Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit Brings in Top Mexican Artists Juan Barba and Martha Collignon for Pop-Up Art Gallery

The “Beyond All-Inclusive, Beyond All Compare” Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will host a pop-up art gallery, the first in a new annual series spotlighting contemporary Mexican artists, with works by Juan Barba and Martha Collignon from November 26, 2015 – January 8, 2016.

The current exhibit features art that is inspired by the rich culture and traditions of the Huichols, Native Mexicans, who practice the intricate beading and embroidery using motifs from nature. The Huichols (also known as Wirrárika) live in the nearby Sierra Madre Mountains.

Juan Barba’s collection of large-format textiles embraces pre-Hispanic traditions and the interpretation of its intricate labyrinth of embroidery. Since everything is made by hand, these art works not only express a story graphically, but the story of a person that uses his eyes and hands to freely tell us his life in an intricate web of thread. All of Barba’s textiles are made from etamine cotton, and are embroidered with cotton thread that has received its color from natural pigment dyes.

KUU by Martha Collignon is the artistic interpretation of two cultures: the visual Huichol spirit and the precise cutting techniques from Czech Republic and Slovakia. The sculptures and jewelry use fine beads made of gold, silver, and other metals to give viewers a glimpse into the beautiful inspiration behind the identity of one of the richest cultures in Mexico. While many of the showcased graphic frames and sculptures are made with ceramic and wood skulls, a standout in the collection is a cow skull.

The exhibition is curated by renowned cultural manager, museographer and critic Ricardo Duarte Méndez, who’s curated more than 50 exhibitions with a specialty in Mexican folk art, and Melín Castro, president of Melin Castro Design, a renowned Mexican architectural and interior design studio who is responsible for the design and corporate image of the four Velas Resorts among others.

From November 26th, 2015 to January 8th, 2016, the boutique at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit will have original pieces of Juan Barba and KUU for sale. Items such as necklaces and bracelets start at $200 USD, while larger pieces such as textiles and graphic frames can be purchased for up to $11,500 USD. A portion of the profits are given to the Huichol communities.