Gabriel de la Mora

Proyectos Monclova presents 1 3 5 9 by Gabriel de la Mora, the fourth solo exhibition by Mexican artist Gabriel de la Mora in the gallery.

The show includes distinct sets of three-dimensional and two-dimensional works, all intricately hand-carved from obsidian. With this series, De la Mora invites viewers to experience the creative process itself, a concept he has explored throughout his career.

In 1 3 5 9, De la Mora reveals aspects of his work that are typically hidden from public view. In most cases, the process behind an artwork is preserved only in photographs or videos for documentation, often archived and inaccessible to the public. Here, however, de la Mora breaks this invisibility, showcasing the journey of creation as an integral element of the work.

Each obsidian polyptych in the show is made up of four pieces that represent key stages of the sculptural process. Beginning with a raw obsidian block, the stages progress to an initial drawing, followed by carving phases where abstraction emerges, and culminating in a recognizable human figure in the final stage. This progression from form to abstraction and finally to figuration reflects de la Mora’s interest in the transformative journey of creation.

The title, 1 3 5 9, reflects these four stages, emphasizing the evolution inherent to artistic process. Gabriel de la Mora has long explored the interplay of monochrome, abstraction, and image across a range of materials. For over a decade, he has worked with obsidian, drawing on ancient carving techniques rooted in pre-Hispanic Mexico. This material holds a significant place in Mexican art history, having evolved with advancements in technology and tools.

Alongside the sculptural pieces, the exhibition features two-dimensional works made from black and golden obsidian fragments with matte and mirrored finishes, evoking the traditional obsidian mirrors. Through these pieces, de la Mora creates a dialogue between two-dimensional and three-dimensional forms, using line as a central element and bridging painting, drawing, and sculpture.

About Gabriel de la Mora

Born in 1968 in Mexico City, Gabriel de la Mora lives and works in his hometown. Known for his meticulous and self-devised methodologies, he works with materials often seen as discarded or obsolete, including artifacts, antiques, utilitarian objects, organic matter, and architectural fragments. His exploration of these materials considers themes of permanence, transformation, and the passage of time. De la Mora holds an MFA from Pratt Institute and a BA in Architecture from Universidad Anáhuac del Norte, and he has received multiple prestigious fellowships, including from Fulbright García-Robles and the Sistema Nacional de Creadores-FONCA. His work is represented in numerous prominent collections, including those at Museo Tamayo, Museo de Arte Moderno, and Museo Amparo in Mexico; MOCA Los Angeles; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; El Museo del Barrio, New York; MALBA, Buenos Aires, among others. De la Mora is represented by Proyectos Monclova (Mexico City), Simões de Assis (Brazil), and Sicardi Ayers Bacino (Houston).

–Proyectos Monclova