Formalism of Pirates

Formalism of Pirates is the first solo exhibition of Colombian artist Wilson Díaz in New York. Díaz, a key reference in the recent history of Latin American art, he has left his mark on the landscape of the visual arts of Latin America throughout decades of work as an artist, educator, and cultural activist.

Born in Pitalito, Huila, a region plagued by political violence and drug trafficking, Díaz has developed a way of processing the common urgencies of postcolonial societies, which are universally shared. Therefore, while his narratives often originate from specific micro-stories, the character of his work achieves a pluriversal resonance.

This exhibition showcases his most recent production, comprising paintings and collected objects. Conceptually, it contains recurring motifs from Díaz’s universe, such as the relationship between mass manipulation and cultural production (in this case, specifically popular music), or the way in which the intimate sphere is affected by the public context and politics.

The works that make up Formalismo de Piratas fulfill a narrative function, telling the story of a transnational record label, its founders, and the tragedy of those who lived in a time when the blurred boundary between the legal, the informal, and the criminal was accommodated according to the convenience of powerful entities.