Ethos of Transfiguration, artist Francisco Guevara

Scarlet Red a Symbol of Transfiguration

Scarlet red, a color evoking passion and power, defined the transformative influence of the Society of Jesus in the Americas. As they spread Catholic ideology, the Jesuits established an ideological center in Puebla, Mexico, leveraging civil patronage and the wealth from cochineal—a pigment derived from native exploitation—to found powerful educational institutions. In Ethos of Transfiguration, artist Francisco Guevara, in collaboration with Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla and Museo Universitario Casa de los Muñecos, reinterprets this legacy. Curated by Dr. Alejandro Julián Andrade and designed by museographer Quetzalina Sánchez, the exhibition opens November 28, 2024, featuring a collection of 18th-century colonial works and Guevara’s contemporary creations to explore the vivid intersections of faith, art, and economic power.

“Ethos of Transfiguration” is a captivating exhibition by contemporary artist Francisco Guevara, curated by art historian Dr. Alejandro Julián Andrade. It highlights both the violence and allure of cochineal red, a thread weaving together stories that have faded over time. Through a nuanced exploration of the Society of Jesus and its patronage rooted in the production and trade of scarlet red, the exhibition presents a dialogue between 18th-century Spanish colonial paintings, some of which presumably include cochineal as a pigment, and Guevara’s conceptual works. This artistic and material journey encompasses featherwork, textiles, gemstones, silversmithing, marquetry, and tempera painting, contextualizing carmine’s production and symbolic power while delving into the political-religious tensions tied to the Jesuits and the intellectual elite they cultivated. In this interplay, the unique brilliance and fluidity of cochineal establish a philosophical and material dialogue, inviting viewers to engage with their own histories through color.

 The scarlet red produced by a tiny insect from the Americas not only transformed Spanish Colonial painting but became a cornerstone of the global colonial economy, shaping color technologies and art across Europe. This exhibition revisits the regional history of the Society of Jesus and its unique practices through a compelling dialogue between historical canvases from the former College of the Holy Spirit—portraits of Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the order, and images of Our Lady of Sorrows—and contemporary works by artist Francisco Guevara. Known for his critical reflections on historical processes, Guevara’s research-based practice transforms these explorations into objects notable for their beauty, effectiveness, and persuasive power. His approach extends beyond content, emulating, deconstructing, and reinterpreting original forms through materials whose symbolic and precious qualities have endured since the viceregal era. Through four thematic pillars—Jesuit missionary work, the order’s foundational history in Puebla, its educational legacy, and the figure of Saint Ignatius—Guevara revisits a narrative that laid the cultural and educational foundations of modern Mexico.

As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, Arquetopia presents “Ethos of Transfiguration” in collaboration with Benemérita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla, and Museo Universitario Casa de los Muñecos BUAP. This exhibition comprises 32 artworks, including 14 18th-century paintings and 18 contemporary pieces, curated to bridge historical and modern perspectives. Designed by renowned museographer Quetzalina Sánchez, the exhibition opens on November 28, 2024, and will run through February 2, 2025.

Exhibition Details:

Title: The Ethos of Transfiguration: Scarlet Reverence, Faith, and the Legacy of Cochineal

Artist: Francisco Guevara

Curator: Dr. Alejandro Julián Andrade

Exhibition Designer: Quetzalina Sánchez

Venue: Museo Universitario “Casa de los Muñecos,” BUAP, Puebla, Mexico

Dates: November 28, 2024 – February 2, 2025

About Arquetopia: 

Arquetopia is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting art and culture through residency programs, exhibitions, and educational projects. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, it continues to be a benchmark in supporting artists and preserving cultural heritage in Mexico and beyond.  

About Francisco Guevara:

Francisco Guevara is a multidisciplinary artist from Puebla and co-founder of Arquetopia and International Artist Residencies in Mexico, Peru, and Italy. His research focuses on the historical construction of differentiation and distortion through mediums such as painting, installation, and metalwork. His work centers on history, identity, and power dynamics, and has been exhibited internationally in Australia, Spain, Slovenia, Romania, the United States, and Japan. With over 20 years of experience in international art projects, curation, and teaching, he has received numerous accolades for his ability to connect the past with the present through art.

For more information and interviews, please contact:
Nayeli Hernandez, Programs Director Arquetopia Foundation
Email: nhernandez@arquetopia.org

For more detailed information about the exhibition, please visit the following link: https://franciscoguevara.art/