Francisco Valverde Mexican, b. 1972

Francisco Valverde (b. 1972) was born and raised in Cuernavaca, Mexico, a region celebrated for its lush landscapes and rich cultural heritage. These early influences are unmistakable in his work, where color is not simply applied but sculpted, layered, and brought to life with a physical presence. Initially known for his contemporary figurative painting, Valverde's career took a transformative turn while teaching traditional techniques and large-format painting at the Centro Morelense de las Artes. Inspired by his students’ pursuit of personal expression, Valverde began his own quest for a new artistic language.

 

His signature technique involves layering thick, glossy strands of pigmented resin across his canvases, creating an interplay of order and chaos. The resin often mimics the organic patterns of vines, rivers, or even neural networks while its bold hues pulse with intensity. By manipulating the viscosity of his materials, Valverde imbues his works with a sense of energy and motion. The resulting works appear to oscillate, shimmering as the viewer changes perspective, inviting engagement not just with the eyes but with the body’s sense of balance and space.

 

For Valverde, texture is as much a storytelling device as color. The raised surfaces of his works carry a sculptural quality, catching light in ways that shift depending on the time of day or the observer’s position. This dynamic aspect of his work challenges the notion of painting as a static medium, pushing it closer to an interactive, ever-evolving experience. Valverde’s controlled chaos — layering bright, unyielding colors over subdued, shadowy bases — creates a visceral tension. These paintings are as much about what is concealed as what is visible, mirroring the complexities of human emotion.

 

Valverde earned a BA in Fine Arts from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. He has exhibited in numerous international solo and group shows, including the 2004 and 2016 Rufino Tamayo Biennial at the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Rufino Tamayo (Mexico City). A passionate advocate for public and urban art, he participated in The Street Is Yours project in the State of Mexico and created an urban intervention for the SMART Art Festival 2015 in San Miguel de Allende. In 2020, the Fort Wayne Museum of Art hosted a solo exhibition of his work.