Meet Javier Lopez Pastrana, a contemporary Mexican artist whose artistic proposal is based on the fusion of pre-Hispanic and contemporary elements.
His paintings seek to reconnect with the roots and cultural heritage of his country, while exploring universal themes such as identity, memory and spirituality.
His art is deeply rooted in Mexican traditions and aesthetics, achieving visually distinctive pieces that represent Mexican culture.
“In the middle of the 90's I asked myself where our Mexicanness remained in the face of the globalization of art”
Javier Lopez Pastrana Mexican Plastic Artist
A Protagonist of Contemporary Mexican Art
About Javier López Pastrana
Mexican artist and painter born in Mexico City in 1956, he is known for his innovative style and unique approach to art. He studied at the “Plastic Research and Experimentation Center” of the National Institute of Fine Arts (INBA) in Mexico. Pastrana is considered a pioneer in the artistic movement known as “NeoCrotalic Art,” which aims to revive and modernly interpret traditional design elements from ancient Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Aztecs and Mayans.
NeoCrotalic Art
Reviving Ancient Design Inspired by his Mexican heritage and cultural roots, Javier López Pastrana infuses his works with elements of Mexican art and aesthetics as a painter.
His paintings reflect the rich artistic traditions of Mexico, adding a contemporary twist, making them unique and captivating. The central concept of NeoCrotalic Art is the use of a traditional design called “CANAMAYTE”, a quadruple vertex pattern found naturally in the scales of the rattlesnake's skin.
Pastrana and the NeoCrotal Art movement seek to use this pattern as a rule of proportion in his work and apply it in a contemporary way to create new works of art.
Incorporating Elements of Crotalic Composition With a keen sense of detail and a deep understanding of modern art, Javier López Pastrana has gained recognition as a prominent contemporary artist.
As opposed to simply copying ancient works from ancient cultures, Pastrana's approach is to interpret and incorporate the elements of crotalic composition in his own unique ways. He uses both 2D and 3D formats to express his artistic vision and also employs the “Best Maugard method”, a drawing technique based on seven elemental lines, to further enhance his work.
This method allows him to express different motifs, such as anthropomorphic or zoomorphic, and helps him create his own artistic personality with a national accent.
A Unique Mexican Visual Accent
Pastrana's NeoCrotalic Art movement seeks to create a distinctive Mexican visual accent that differentiates it from the golden composition of the West.
By reviving old design elements and incorporating them in a modern way, Pastrana seeks to create new works of art that are visually unique and representative of Mexican culture.
His innovative approach to art has earned him recognition as one of Mexico's most prominent contemporary artists.
His use of contemporary mixed media and techniques in his creations sets him apart from other artists, making him a leading figure in the art world.
Challenging Artistic Boundaries he has earned a reputation for his exceptional creativity, technical skill and artistic vision.
We invite you to visit the artist's website where you can appreciate his artistic work:
