Oscar Murillo's latest exhibition at kurimanzutto gallery is a sweeping survey of his work spanning 15 years, defying linear time. The artist likens this endeavor to "the sedimentation of time," where historical events, experiences, and layers of meaning accumulate over time, creating a complex web that resists chronological order.
Murillo's oeuvre is characterized by intricate surfaces, layered with marks, energy, and intensity. These surfaces serve as a portal to his global network, "Frequencies," which attaches itself to the framework and infrastructure of schools and collaborates with children as vessels. The show highlights Murillo's preoccupation with social mapping – a device that records the passing of masses through simple acts of marking – particularly in an era marked by censorship and turbulence.
The exhibition features a diverse range of works, including abstract paintings like "manifestation" (2023-2024), which combines oil, oil stick, spray paint, dirt, and graphite on canvas and linen. Murillo's fascination with the surface is evident, where marks and energy interact in complex ways.
Contrasting with his recent success as a market darling, Murillo is refreshingly candid about his process, saying he does not recall such a time. However, his focus on continuous experimentation in the studio remains unwavering.
Notably, Murillo's work receives different receptions in Latin America versus other parts of the world. His ideas are born out of a shifting global order under threat, prompting "Social mapping" – his response as a witness.
For personal reasons, Murillo finds solace in one installation: The Water Well. This large-scale installation serves as an encyclopedia containing fragments from his studio over the years, acting as a library where visitors can consult and view paintings. A sound piece about his father's migration, recorded in 18 languages, completes this poignant work.
Murillo's practice is marked by intensity, with surfaces that register marks and energy. His use of abstraction serves as a means to explore complex themes – social mapping, global networks, and the accumulation of time. The exhibition is a testament to Murillo's preoccupation with resisting linear time and embracing multiple, overlapping layers of meaning.
Ultimately, Oscar Murillo's work defies categorization, presenting viewers with an immersive experience that blurs boundaries between surface, materiality, and meaning.
Murillo's oeuvre is characterized by intricate surfaces, layered with marks, energy, and intensity. These surfaces serve as a portal to his global network, "Frequencies," which attaches itself to the framework and infrastructure of schools and collaborates with children as vessels. The show highlights Murillo's preoccupation with social mapping – a device that records the passing of masses through simple acts of marking – particularly in an era marked by censorship and turbulence.
The exhibition features a diverse range of works, including abstract paintings like "manifestation" (2023-2024), which combines oil, oil stick, spray paint, dirt, and graphite on canvas and linen. Murillo's fascination with the surface is evident, where marks and energy interact in complex ways.
Contrasting with his recent success as a market darling, Murillo is refreshingly candid about his process, saying he does not recall such a time. However, his focus on continuous experimentation in the studio remains unwavering.
Notably, Murillo's work receives different receptions in Latin America versus other parts of the world. His ideas are born out of a shifting global order under threat, prompting "Social mapping" – his response as a witness.
For personal reasons, Murillo finds solace in one installation: The Water Well. This large-scale installation serves as an encyclopedia containing fragments from his studio over the years, acting as a library where visitors can consult and view paintings. A sound piece about his father's migration, recorded in 18 languages, completes this poignant work.
Murillo's practice is marked by intensity, with surfaces that register marks and energy. His use of abstraction serves as a means to explore complex themes – social mapping, global networks, and the accumulation of time. The exhibition is a testament to Murillo's preoccupation with resisting linear time and embracing multiple, overlapping layers of meaning.
Ultimately, Oscar Murillo's work defies categorization, presenting viewers with an immersive experience that blurs boundaries between surface, materiality, and meaning.
- all these layers of time and history and meanings just kinda... accumulate 
. It's like he's trying to show us that the past isn't always linear, you know? And I think that's super relatable in today's world where everything's just so fast-paced and connected 
. His use of abstraction is also super interesting - it's like he's trying to tap into this deeper truth or feeling that we can't quite put our finger on 
. And that installation, The Water Well? 
. Anyway, I think this exhibition is a total game-changer 
- Murillo's work is definitely making me think differently about the world!
what i loved most was "the water well" installation - it's like this giant library where you can explore all these different pieces and sounds 
. And those surfaces! He's got this crazy technique where he layers marks and energy on top of each other... it's like an entire world is happening on canvas 
. And that Water Well installation? Absolutely heartbreaking 
. It's like a giant library of memories and emotions, all pouring out at once... anyway, I'm totally going to have to check this exhibit out ASAP 
i do know that murillo's work is supposed to be about social mapping and global networks, but it feels so abstract to me... maybe thats the point tho? i did love the installation called "the water well" though - it was like stepping into a library or something... and the sound piece about his dad's migration was really emotional 
anyway, has anyone else seen this exhibit?
It's like you can see the evolution of Murillo's style over 15 years, all these different techniques and marks coming together to create something truly unique. And I love how he's pushing back against linear time, it's so relatable in today's world where everything feels so chaotic. The way he uses abstraction to explore complex themes like social mapping and global networks is genius 
. But what really gets me is how his work is a reflection of his personal experiences, like with his father's migration - that sound piece is giving me all the feels 
. Anyway, if you haven't checked out this exhibition yet, you totally need to! It's not just an art show, it's an immersive experience 
. The way he uses layers to create these intricate surfaces is just mesmerizing - it's like you're stepping into his "Frequencies" network 
. I'm fascinated by how his work reflects the state of our world right now, tackling themes like social mapping and censorship in a really thoughtful way 
. And what's with this dichotomy between how his work is received in different parts of the world? It makes you realize that art can be really subjective and influenced by context 
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. It's like being immersed in a world where time and meaning are fluid - and that's something we could all learn from 
and i gotta say, his use of abstraction as a means to explore deeper themes is SO cool 
i mean, who else can make an abstract painting with dirt and graphite on canvas and linen look so... intentional? 
what i find really interesting too is how his art is affected by the global context we're living in right now - like, the tension between social mapping and censorship is super relevant 
. And that installation, "The Water Well"? Pure magic 
. I'm definitely down to explore more of Murillo's frequencies and see where the journey takes me 
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. The Water Well installation is giving me major feels too, like this library of memories that you can just get lost in 
murillo's "sweeping survey" is just a fancy way of saying he's been messing around with paint for 15 years 
and now everyone's all like "ooh, his work is so complex and layered"... yeah no kidding, it's just oil and dirt on canvas 
nice try at being inclusive, murillo 
... like, what is a "sedimentation of time" again? Is it like when you leave your room for a while and stuff gets all dusty and old? 
And why do these artworks have so many weird textures on them? I mean, I like the one with dirt and graphite, but what's the point of mixing different materials? 
...
. his obsession with 'social mapping' is really interesting, especially in today's climate where we're all trying to make sense of the world around us 
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. But honestly, Oscar Murillo is like the ultimate mastermind 
i mean, im not saying murillo doesn't deserve it or anything, but come on! his art is fire 
. anyway, i'm definitely checking out this exhibition and seeing what all the fuss is about! 
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. Like, whats the point of calling it a "sweeping survey" when its still just some paintings on a wall? 
and what's with the fancy words like "sedimentation of time" and "social mapping"? sounds like some kind of mumbo jumbo to me 
. I mean, Im all for exploring complex themes and stuff, but can't we just talk about it in a more straightforward way? 