"Adorning"

“… I would be truly delighted if we could end the long-standing distinction between objects that elicit certain responses due to their supposed ‘religious’ or ‘magical’ powers and those deemed to have purely ‘aesthetic’ functions.”

The Power of Images, David Freedberg, 1989

The latest artistic proposal by María Mercedes Sánchez presents a unique pastiche composed of collections of images articulated through various formats, including digital collages, dioramas, and ritual installations.

Each piece is the result of a juxtaposition of elements from diverse origins, such as religious iconography, objects reminiscent of childhood and school life, everyday popular artifacts, and theatrical spaces. The resulting palimpsest appears in constant transformation, reflecting the very nature of collage—a medium born from the artist’s deliberate blending of different languages and creation of layered meanings. By placing dissonant elements in real and imagined spaces, Sánchez recreates surreal and ceremonial scenes.

The origin of this artistic intention can be traced back to her childhood, when she repaired and reinvented objects using materials from her surroundings—fabrics, dolls, veils, and pillows—with a constant curiosity to discover new forms and relationships. Childhood becomes an essential element in Sánchez’s work, stemming from the need to present elements in a simple way, allowing viewers to interpret and connect with them through their own experiences.

Each element in her works is “adorned” with glitter, geometric patterns, sequins, and curtains, emphasizing the kitsch nature of popular imagery. In her compositions, objects and characters from various origins and historical moments converse, bringing them into the present through a syncretic approach where religious images appear in everyday contexts, accompanied by bold words and phrases that directly engage the viewer.

Sánchez’s artistic process moves fluidly between the digital and the analog. Her digital compositions are elevated by meticulous handcrafting, involving intricate assemblies of diverse materials and objects, drawing from sewing and beading practices.

Sánchez aims to create a spiritual, though not religious, connection with popular aesthetics that evoke familiarity and personal memories. Through her vibrant universe of colors, forms, and meanings, she invites viewers to engage in a richly layered visual and emotional experience.

Alejandra Fonseca.

Museologist