Tamara Ibarra Reflects on YEI and Mexico's Independent Art Scene in esferapública Interview
In a conversation with esferapública, artist Tamara Ibarra shares insights about YEI, a communication platform she established in 2012 aimed at linking independent art venues across Mexico. What began as a private Facebook group evolved into a public page and a nationwide event calendar for exhibitions. Ibarra discusses the challenges faced by artist-run spaces in the aftermath of the pandemic, particularly due to economic downturns. She mentions Obrera Centro, which receives backing from the Patronato de Arte Contemporáneo (PAC), and Bikini Wax's pivot towards activism. Newer venues are concentrating on market integration. Ibarra also reflects on the personal challenges of managing YEI, which has impacted her health, and notes her role as an honorary advisor to Mexico City's Ministry of Culture after launching Prras in 2017.
Key facts
- YEI was founded in 2012 by Tamara Ibarra as a platform to connect independent art spaces in Mexico.
- It started as a private Facebook group and later became a public page with a daily event calendar.
- The platform was funded by the Patronato de Arte Contemporáneo (PAC) and Ibarra's family.
- Ibarra closed YEI in 2019-2020 after suffering health problems from overwork.
- In 2017, she created Prras, an exhibition project focused on women leading independent spaces.
- Obrera Centro, run by Mauro Giaconi and Marcos Castro, is cited as a space that maintained its community focus.
- Bikini Wax is mentioned as a project that shifted toward activism.
- Ibarra is an honorary advisor to the Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México and co-founded the Asamblea de Artes de la Ciudad de México.
Entities
Artists
- Tamara Ibarra
- Chris Sharp
- Mauro Giaconi
- Marcos Castro
- Juan Caloca
- Viviana Martínez
- Juan José
- Sandra Sánchez
- Juanfran Maldonado
- Ximena Atristaín
- Tania Puente
- Andrea Cuevas
- Pamela Ballesteros
- Adriana Martínez
- Juan Peláez
- Cuauhtémoc Medina
- Paty Siller
Institutions
- YEI
- esferapública
- Lulu
- Obrera Centro
- Patronato de Arte Contemporáneo (PAC)
- Bikini Wax
- Cráter Invertido
- Ladrón
- Campeche
- Pequod Co
- General Expenses
- Yope (Oaxaca)
- Kurimanzutto
- MUAC
- MoMA
- Secretaría de Cultura de la Ciudad de México
- Asamblea de Artes de la Ciudad de México
- Janet40
- Prras
- Boomerang
- Artistas para Artistas
Locations
- Mexico
- Mexico City
- Oaxaca
- Argentina
- Venezuela