Place: Ixtepec
Born: 1970
Biography:
Laureana Toledo Ixtepec is a renowned Mexican conceptual artist, born in 1970 in Ixtepec, Mexico. She has gained recognition for her thought-provoking and innovative works, which often explore the imperceptible or transient moments of the everyday. Toledo's artistic practice has evolved to incorporate various media, including photography, drawing, painting, video, sound, and sculpture.
Toledo was born into a family of artists, with her father being the Mexican artist Francisco Toledo. Her siblings, Dr. Lakra and Natalia Toledo, are also involved in the arts. This artistic background has likely influenced her creative approach and experimentation with different media. Toledo began her career as a photographer and later expanded her practice to include other art forms.
Toledo's work is characterized by systematic and repetitive interventions into different media, aiming to re-code their existing narratives. She is inspired by the imperceptible or transient moments of the everyday, speculating on how such phenomena can gain new forms of visual presentation. Her artistic approach is often described as conceptual and experimental, reflecting her interest in exploring the boundaries of art and challenging traditional notions of perception.
Some of Toledo's notable works include Pianola, a black and white photograph measuring 120 x 180 cm, and Order and Progress, an installation presented at the Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo in Mexico City. Her work has been exhibited in various museums and galleries, including the Museo Jumex in Mexico City and the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Toledo has also participated in group exhibitions, such as Strategic Questions at the Kunstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin and Declaraciones 2 at the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía in Madrid. Her work can be found in the permanent collections of the Jardín Escultórico of the Museo de Arte Moderno in Mexico City and the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Toledo has received several awards and honors, including a mid-career award from the Cisneros Fontanls Art Foundation and a residency at the International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP) in New York City. She has also been awarded a residency at Gasworks in London. Toledo's work is a testament to her innovative and conceptual approach to art, which continues to inspire and challenge audiences. Her contributions to the art world are significant, and her work can be found in various museums and collections, including the Museo de Arte Moderno and the Brooklyn Museum.