People of Costa Rica

Colectivo Soma inaugurated the Paradoxes exhibition at the Calderón Guardia Museum

The exhibition Paradoxes, by Colectivo Soma, featuring more than 30 works in various formats, opened to the public on the night of June 12 at the Calderón Guardia Museum (MCG) in Barrio Escalante.

The collective’s proposal is based on transforming realist art into a vehicle for inquiry. Inspired by tradition and the techniques of realism, they reinterpret its elements to reveal the underlying tensions in everyday life.

Colectivo Soma inauguró exposición “Paradojas” en el Museo Calderón Guardia

According to the MCG, in the work of this collective, the strength of painting and attachment to artistic traditions become essential pillars, allowing these artists to reconnect with classical heritage while simultaneously subverting it to propose new narratives. Their work invites the viewer to rethink the world around them and established narratives.

Luis Rafael Núñez Bohórquez, director and curator of the Calderón Guardia Museum, stated: “This exhibition presents works of great technique that challenge perception and logic—an affirmation or situation that may seem contradictory but can nonetheless contain a deeper truth or meaning. The art ranges from optical illusions to conceptual contradictions, capturing the essence of what is intended to be presented.”

For the members of Colectivo Soma, the Paradoxes exhibition explores social and human contradictions, generating harmony and tension simultaneously, with the aim of provoking deep reflection in the viewer on how appearance is interpreted and how painting can subvert the understanding of reality. At the same time, the exhibition invites the viewer to immerse themselves in the paradox of the figurative, challenging traditional perceptions of reality and opening space for new interpretations.

The collective is composed of artists Mario Rojas Kolomiiets, Emilia Cantor, Gilberto Ramírez, Sylvia Laks, and Sofía Ruiz. To learn more about their individual trajectories, click HERE.

The exhibition is open until July 19, 2025. Visit it for free from Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Calderón Guardia Museum. You can request a free guided tour at: reservasmcg@gmail.com.