Ángela Mena’s artistic practice is deeply defined by a recurring and profound element that permeates each of her projects: color. From the landscapes she painted in her early years to the evocative sunsets that often fill her compositions, and through to every intricate fold of the figures in her The Power of Color series, color is not just a technique but a central force that guides and shapes her work. The artist’s meticulous study of color, combined with the depth and emotional resonance she achieves in her compositions, draws the viewer into a sensory experience that goes beyond the visual. It invites them to engage with her world on a deeper level, offering a reflection of personal and universal transformations through the lens of color.

The Power of Color

The Power of Color series finds its origins in a celebration of kanreki (還暦), an ancient Chinese tradition that marks a significant milestone in the human life cycle—a transition into a new stage of life, often referred to as a second childhood. This tradition is emblematic of renewal, rebirth, and the rejuvenation of the spirit. The color red, traditionally used in the kanreki celebration, carries with it deep symbolism, signifying vitality, energy, and the spirit of youth. In this project, Ángela Mena embraces this idea of transformation by anchoring the work in red, allowing it to serve as both the foundation and the catalyst for further exploration. The red gradually gives way to other vibrant hues, representing the continuous flow of change and the multifaceted nature of personal growth. Each shift in color corresponds to a new stage, a new layer in the artist's ongoing investigation of the relationship between color, perception, and emotional resonance.

Vínculos Salvajes (Wild Bonds)

Vínculos Salvajes (Wild Bonds) is an extension of The Power of Color series, delving deeper into the themes of connection, unity, and transformation. The term vínculo—meaning tie, link, connection, conjunction, union, harmony, or fusion—captures the essence of this project. It highlights the myriad ways in which elements come together to form new structures, identities, and relationships. Through Wild Bonds, Ángela explores these interactions not only as physical encounters but also as symbolic and philosophical ones, offering a reflection on the nature of human and material connections.

In this series, geometry continues to play a significant role but is approached in a more organic and fluid way. The rigid lines and shapes of earlier works gradually soften, becoming more fluid, amorphous, and integrated with the surrounding space. This shift in approach mirrors the artist's exploration of how different interactions between planes, light, and shadow reveal new methods of composition. The juxtaposition of sharp and soft, of contrasts and harmonies, speaks to the complexity and the delicate balance found in the union of elements. Ultimately, Vínculos Salvajes is about the fusion of identities, the harmony that can arise from dissonance, and the constant process of becoming that underlies all interactions. It is a visual meditation on how bonds are formed, maintained, and transformed over time, reflecting both the strength and fragility inherent in all connections.

Through both The Power of Color and Vínculos Salvajes, Ángela Mena invites the viewer to consider the ways in which color, geometry, and organic forms interact to reveal deeper truths about personal transformation, human connection, and the endless cycle of renewal and rebirth. Her work becomes not only a visual journey but a philosophical exploration of the bonds that define us and the colors that shape our experiences.