MARIA ESTHELA GARCIA

b. 1984 Tegucigalpa, Honduras

María Esthela is a self-taught artist currently settled in the territory of Tiohtià:ke - Mooniyang, colonially known as Montreal.

Guided by systems thinking, research, paradox, movement and meditation, her art practice is handmade, process-based and occasionally site-responsive.

Growing up between polar realities in both Honduras and Canada has granted her a unique perspective, allowing her to identify hidden paradigms and the indiscernible gaps between intention and realization that intertwine with our material world.

Tuning into her third culture and autistic experience she blends and contrasts the spectrums of the undefined, the relative and the absurd as an ontological exploration of our thought processes in knowledge systems.

By weaving ideas through haptic performance and taking a heuristic approach to light and material, she has developed a liminal and abstract language, mapping and linking patterns that expand across science, philosophy, nature and the unknown.

Her work evokes an emotional gravitas through physical weightlessness and thoughtful lightness, drawing lines of inquiry and points of reflection that trace and transcend the realm of reason, suspending and elevating our attention to what lies beyond.

EXHIBITIONS

2023 Philadelphia, United States - The Spite Haus, Group Exhibit September 2023, Love's Other Name (Current)

2023 Reykjavik, Iceland - SIM Residency Open Space Group Exhibit June 2023

2023 Reykjavik, Iceland - Borgarbókasafnið, Two-person exhibit, June 2023 The Crystal is not here

2023 Reykjavik, Iceland - SIM Residency Artist Talk & Group Exhibit May 2023

2023 Montréal, Canada - Les Printemps du MAC Benefit Auction & Artist Talk

2022 Montréal, Canada - MIIDSPACE, Solo Exhibition, Particle Perspectives, A sculptural Installation

2022 Montréal, Canada - LivArt, Contemporary Drawing

2021 The Wrong Biennale, Pavilion Curator & Artist (V15M1N)

2020 Montréal, Canada - Solo Exhibition, 5500, Digital Sculpture Installation & Performance

2019 Toronto, Canada - Group Show, Off Nuit Blanche, GAIA, 3 Part Video Installation

RESIDENCIES

2023 SÍM Residency, Reykjavik, Iceland

2022 - 2023 Arsenal Contemporary Residency, Montréal, Canada

AWARDS