Leonora Carrington sculptures on view at Riviera Maya hotel

Hotel Xcaret Arte (Xcaret, Riviera Maya, Mexico) honors artist Leonora Carrington by showcasing her captivating sculptural work titled “Alchemy in Bronze and Imaginary Labyrinths.” This temporary Leonora Carrington sculptures exhibit. taking place through September 17, 2023 at the hotel, provides a space to appreciate Carrington’s profound artistic vision. 

Hotel Xcaret Arte celebrates the legacy of prominent and internationally recognized Mexican artists, acting as a catalyst for Mexican art, connecting with guests through the creativity and artistic expression of Mexican art. Within its sustainable spaces, Hotel Xcaret Arte offers an innovative All-Fun Inclusive experience, fostering a deep connection to Mexican art and promoting a sustainable lifestyle. 

Renowned for her diverse talents, Carrington, born in England and later becoming a Mexican citizen, explored various artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, writing, and set design. The exhibit showcases an important part of her work as a sculptor featuring a curated selection of ten artworks from the Velasco Artistic Collection Foundation. Spanning the years 1999 to 2011, these sculptures showcase Carrington’s masterful use of the lost wax bronze technique, highlighting a significant aspect of her artistic journey.

The exhibition features a captivating array of sculptures, each revealing ancestral and sacred feminine figures, that beckon visitors into the realms of imaginary labyrinths closely intertwined with magic, Celtic mythology, Kabbalah and fantasy. Among the remarkable Leonora Carrington sculptures showcased in the exhibit are “Paseo a caballo” (Horseback Ride), “Arpista” (Harpist), “Bandolonista” (Mandolinist), “Cantante Muda” (The Mute Singer), “Nigromante” (Necromancer), “Máscara de Gato” (Cat Mask), “La Dama Oval” (The Oval Lady), “Serpiente Voladora” (Flying Snake), “Mariposa Mantarraya” (The Manta Ray Butterfly) and “La hija del Minotauro” (The Minotaur’s Daughter). These sculptures invite viewers to embark on a visual journey of discovery, evoking a sense of wonder and fascination.

The Leonora Carrington sculptures unfold within the extraordinary setting of Hotel Xcaret Arte, presented as a symbolic map comprised of seven pathways within the Jardín del Arte. Symbolizing Leonora’s Kabbalistic number, the number seven represents pivotal moments throughout her artistic journey. These moments, not bound by linear temporality, reflect her explorations, acquired wisdom, and impactful life experiences that shaped her artistic expression. 

The interplay of music, magic and esotericism played an important role in Leonora’s pictorial, sculptural and literary work. With a fantastical lens, she drew inspiration from the ordinary occurrences of daily life.

Often referring to herself as “I’m a mother, an artist, a woman…What else?”, Leonora Carrington emerged as one of the most influential female artists within 20^th-century Avant-garde art. 

After residing in New York, Leonora Carrington moved to Mexico and found solace among other exiled artists during the tumultuous period of World War II in Europe. She developed a deep affection for Mexico and passed away in the country on May 25, 2011.

Through this captivating exhibit, Hotel Xcaret Arte’s Arts Promotion Program invites guests to immerse themselves in the world of art, encouraging them to explore every corner and experience a range of emotions. This exceptional opportunity intertwines the artists’ works within the hotel’s spaces, allowing for a harmonious fusion between hotel guests, the artist herself, and the artworks. By delving into Mexican artistic expressions, guests are encouraged to embrace a profound sense of connection and emotional resonance.