MERO Arte Contemporáneo on Zacateros opened a collective exhibition featuring six contemporary artists from the region. Drawing together work by some of the gallery's most popular painters, the exhibition is unique in that it represents a wide range of artistic styles, largely within the abstract tradition. From highly textured, minimalist pieces to bold and brightly colored paintings, the exhibition represents a delightful and well-conceived selection of MERO's artists, keeping with the gallery's mission to promote art that is both beautiful and contemporary.
The current exhibition at MERO includes work by the gallery's co-owners, Michelle Wey and Joaquin Piñeiro. As painters, Wey and Piñeiro represent highly distinctive painterly styles. Wey's delicate abstract paintings are characterized by subdued tones and almost-surreal abstract forms, which are at once angular and soft, and meticulously contoured in light and shadow.
Highly meditative and subtle, these pieces are contrasted by Piñeiro's instinctive, lively, and bold approach to painting. Piñeiro uses a basic palette of bold colors and isn't afraid to let paint run or splatter across the surface of the painting. In this exhibition, Piñeiro expresses his signature energy in a series of smaller format pieces, enriched by a layer of encaustic.
Since Wey and Piñeiro began their collaboration in 2006, MERO Arte Contemporáneo has quickly become one of San Miguel's vanguard galleries, distinguishing itself through its unique vision for contemporary art. According to its owners, “the special role of the artist in society is to serve as a reflection of his or her times; a reflection that is distilled through a delicate combination of contemplation, detached observation and inspiration.” Representing both emerging and well-established artists, MERO shows work that is fresh and contemporary, while maintaining a connection to aesthetic principals. According to the gallery's mission statement the gallery exhibits: “Artists who demonstrate a mastery over their chosen medium and a dedication to the importance of aesthetics as the guiding principal in the creation of a work of art are proudly represented by this gallery.”
Among the artists exhibiting, Magdiel Perez returns to MERO after his recent successful show at the gallery. Working with oil-based paint and encaustic, Perez's work is characterized by lush textures and a distinctive palette of rich colors. Two other popular artists from the region, Jordi Boldo and Arturo Meade, are also included among the exhibition. Meade's exhibition at MERO in January featured the artist's work on paper. Currently, he is showing larger format work and sculpture.
