Pepx Romero's 'Performance es el nuevo muralismo' at Ex Teresa Arte Actual
At Ex Teresa Arte Actual in Mexico City, Pepx Romero is showcasing an installation titled 'Performance es el nuevo muralismo.' It pays homage to the origins of Mexican performance art by reinterpreting the baroque retablo style. The installation features 23 acrylic-on-canvas panels that soar over 14 meters tall, depicting scenes from the museum's documentary collection. Notable figures like Teresa Margolles, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, and Orlan are included, along with former directors like Guillermo Santamarina and Lorena Wolffer. A striking panel displays Melquiades Herrera in a crucifixion pose, reminiscent of the Cristo de Ixmiquilpan. Romero sees this shift to painting as a critique of the art market's obsession with abstract and performance art. This installation is part of the group exhibit 'Un arete en el ombligo… La contracultura está en la casa,' running until August 30, 2026.
Key facts
- Pepx Romero's installation 'Performance es el nuevo muralismo' is on view at Ex Teresa Arte Actual in Mexico City until August 30, 2026.
- The work consists of 23 acrylic-on-canvas panels, over 14 meters tall, reconstructing scenes from the museum's documentary archive.
- The retablo features performance artists including Teresa Margolles, Guillermo Gómez-Peña, Orlan, Santiago Sierra, Ron Athey, Maris Bustamante, and Mónica Mayer.
- Former directors Guillermo Santamarina, Lorena Wolffer, and Eloy Tarcisio are also depicted.
- The central panel shows Melquiades Herrera in a crucifixion pose referencing the Cristo de Ixmiquilpan.
- Romero states: 'Mi venganza como performer es hacer mala pintura como método performativo.'
- The installation is part of the group show 'Un arete en el ombligo… La contracultura está en la casa' with works by Santísima Kitsch, Frank López, and Farlopa.
- Ex Teresa Arte Actual opened in 1993 and became a key venue for performance art in Mexico, especially under Guillermo Santamarina's direction from 1997.
Entities
Artists
- Pepx Romero
- Teresa Margolles
- Guillermo Gómez-Peña
- Orlan
- Santiago Sierra
- Ron Athey
- Maris Bustamante
- Mónica Mayer
- Melquiades Herrera
- Guillermo Santamarina
- Lorena Wolffer
- Eloy Tarcisio
- Santísima Kitsch
- Frank López
- Farlopa
- Emilya Rendón
Institutions
- Ex Teresa Arte Actual
- Artishock Revista
Locations
- Mexico City
- Mexico