Deus ex machina

The sculpture represents a hanging branch that intertwines Guatemala’s vibrant natural world with the traumatic echoes of its colonial history. At its heart, a gecko perches on a branch, symbolizing the quiet resilience of life in the Guatemalan landscape, while small leaves sprout from the piece, signifying the forces of growth and regeneration. Embedded within the sculpture are faces cast in wax: these faces, haunting and ethereal, evoke the enduring legacies of colonization, reflecting a complex interplay of culture, identity, and memory. The natural elements and human forms coexist within the sculpture, creating a powerful dialogue that urges viewers to reflect on the ongoing impact of history on both the land and its people. In Deux Ex Machina, the work becomes a meditation on the intersection of nature, culture, and the collective trauma of colonialism, offering a contemplative exploration of resilience, identity, and the passage of time.

(Text written by TBA21 and used as wall label in the exhibition "Terraphilia", MNTB, Madrid, 2025)