juan medina semi-nude angel with blue wings
Darya
08/25/2023
4 min
0

The Pin Up Academism Of The Mexican Artist Juan Medina

08/25/2023
4 min
0

"Fantasy is inherent in art because nothing is real" (suttonsgalleries.com). This is the statement of the Mexican artist Juan Medina (b. 1950), who, surprisingly, can be classified as a figurative painter since the recurring visual motif of his surreal works is a female body. "Female figure is my first choice not only for aesthetic reasons but because women possess a past full of memories and a future full of hopes and fears." What does the artist show in his paintings - the balance of real and imaginative or the attraction of two art opposites - academism and avant-garde - is for you to decide.

Juan Medina surreal art 

Fig. 1. Haunting Duties (poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com)

 juan Medina surrealism

Fig. 2. In Spite Of (poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com)

 Juan Medina Lilith

Fig. 3. Lilith (artrenewal.org)

 Juan Medina Nude

Fig. 4. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina artist

Fig. 5. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina Mexican artist

Fig. 6. Challenge (poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com)

 Juan Medina pin up

Fig. 7. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina Nude between books

Fig. 8. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

Exhibiting At The Louvre Museum

Juan Medina was born in Mexico City and resided in Mexico, France, and the United States. Probably, he studied at the National University of Mexico, where he later obtained the rank of Professor of Art History, yet the artist describes himself as mostly self-taught. Medina also has a Ph.D. in Architecture, which is manifested in his works featuring gothic churches. The artist organized open studies in art at the Louvre Museum, Autonomous University of Mexico, and many other places. For six years, Medina was given the opportunity to exhibit his work at the prestigious Salon de la Nationale des Beaux-Arts at the Louvre Museum and won a silver medal at the first exhibition. His paintings are exposed in Mexico and USA. 

 Juan Medina Nude seen from the back

Fig. 9. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina nude female on the stairs

Fig. 10. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 nude painting

Fig. 11. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina blind-folded nude

Fig. 12. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina semi nude in fronof a window

Fig. 13. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

 Juan Medina nude with red headscarf

Fig. 14. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

juan medina semi-nude angel with blue wings

 Fig. 15. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

Juan Medina nude angels

Fig. 16. poramoralarte-exposito.blogspot.com

Body As A Symbol

Speaking of the influences, Medina mentions "the world's greatest museums" as "the most comprehensive of schools." So, it's not a surprise that his works are mostly inspired by academism, which can be seen not only in the constant presence of nude figures but also in their postures and drape. The artist himself suggests a symbolic interpretation of this tendency, saying that "nudity denotes the shedding of cultural or moral restrictions." Beautiful winged figures, as you may guess, symbolize human longing for freedom. 

In the exclusive Premium edition you can discover more insights and images of Medina's art.

Click HERE for the sexy pulp covers of the Mexican illustrator Rafael Gallur


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