Detrás del azul, 2024
Juan Ibarra

Painting : mixed media

144 x 140 cm 56.7 x 55.1 inch

€2,486

Make an offer

You may negotiate a lower price for this artwork with our partner gallery. Please note, your offer will be sent to the gallery when your order is finalized. If the gallery cannot accept your offer, you will receive a full refund.

LOADING NOT DISPLAYED BLUR TEXT
Second NOT DISPLAYED BLUR TEXT
Have a question? Ask a specialist

Free returns within 14 days

Authenticity guaranteed

Learn more

Verified Reviews

9.6/10

Secure payment

Paypal American Express Visa Mastercard Apple Pay Google Pay
Discover similar artworks

About the artwork

Type

Unique work

Signature

Hand-signed by artist

Authenticity

Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the artist

Invoice from the gallery


Dimensions cm inch

144 x 140 cm 56.7 x 55.1 inch Height x Width x Depth

Framing

Not framed


Artwork sold in perfect condition

Artwork location: Mexico

“Behind the Blue” – Juan Ibarra

In , Juan Ibarra delivers a powerful abstract composition that speaks through materiality, gesture, and chromatic tension. Deeply influenced by the narrative and symbolic weight of Mexican muralism—particularly the legacy of Diego Rivera—Ibarra approaches the canvas as a space of expression that is both poetic and political. Here, he merges abstraction with figuration, texture with symbolism, to evoke a scene that feels both ancestral and contemporary.

Three white figures emerge from the composition, undefined and ghostlike, their forms built not through outline or contour, but through dense, tactile surfaces. Their presence is felt rather than described—etched into the canvas through layers of rough, almost sculptural texture. These figures inhabit a visual field dominated by a rich, immersive blue that recedes into the background like a veil of memory or emotion. This blue is not passive; it envelops and anchors the scene, evoking depth, introspection, and a collective unconscious.

Contrasting sharply with this field of blue, a bold eruption of red cuts across half the canvas. This chromatic clash introduces a visceral tension—red against blue, heat against cool, urgency against calm. It is here, in this intersection of opposing forces, that the emotional charge of the piece becomes palpable. The red does not overpower the figures, but rather confronts them, becoming a force they stand before, emerge from, or perhaps resist.

The ambiguity of the figures—their whiteness, their lack of definition—suggests an exploration of identity in flux. They could be bodies, spirits, ancestors, or memories. Their very lack of clarity becomes a statement, pointing to histories and presences that are often blurred or erased, but never absent. Ibarra’s masterful use of mixed media intensifies this reading, layering meaning into every inch of the surface.

is a contemporary mural in spirit—one that does not rely on traditional figuration, yet still communicates a strong, collective message. It is a meditation on human presence, emotion, and resilience, rendered in matter and color. With this work, Ibarra continues his exploration of the human condition through abstraction, creating a visual language that honors the muralist legacy while forging his own expressive path.

Read more

About the seller

Ilusorio Arte • Mexico

Artsper seller since 2023

Vetted Seller

Top Seller


Imagine it at home

Juan Ibarra, Detrás del azul
Mexico  • 1974

Presentation

The burning sensation conveyed by Juan Ibarra's proposal is comparable to the feeling of seeing cuts and openings in flesh. It is no coincidence that the painter inherits techniques such as frottage and grattage, which give his canvases an aged appearance. In fact, his work is adjacent to the European tradition that encompasses informalism and abstract expressionism. In this way, the artist aims to highlight the worn-out character of painting, as well as the range of textures and reliefs that literally detach from the canvas. 

Somehow, his pieces speak of the pictorial disintegration that not only exhausts itself but also gives rise to an exposed process of material healing. Therefore, his creations represent matter in a raw state of cauterization and transformation. This aesthetic of decay is crucial to him as it exacerbates the fragmented nature of the materials he uses to paint. This is because he deliberately resolves his compositions and, to a certain extent, anticipates the ravages of time in the realm of plastic arts. 

Hence, his art decomposes color, forms, and spaces, along with their multiple interrelations. It is worth mentioning that the artist works in layers, much like sediments of rock formations, to then intercalate and blend the background with the surface and vice versa on a single plane. Furthermore, his works frequently feature geometric and expressionistic linear structures that enhance the visual effect of corrosion while carrying an immeasurable dramatic charge.

Read more
Need help?
Where can I be delivered?

Artsper delivers internationally. The list of countries is available in the first step of your cart.

If your country is not listed contact us at [email protected] and we will see what we can do.

Note that Customs fees may apply for works shipped internationally. This is indicated in the first step of the shopping cart.

You can choose a delivery address different from the billing address. Make sure that a trusted person is present to receive the work if you cannot be there.

How do I showcase my work?

Have you purchased a painting, sculpture or work on paper?
Find our expert advice for the conservation and promotion of your works in the articles below:

Why choose Artsper for your art purchases

Artsper offers you access to more than 200,000 works of contemporary art from 2,000 partner galleries. Our team of experts carefully selects galleries to guarantee the quality and originality of the works.

You benefit from:

  • Works at gallery price

  • Return within 14 days, regardless of your location

  • Easy resale of the work purchased on Artsper

  • Personalized research tools (selection and tailor-made universe)

Our customer service is available for any assistance.

Protect your purchase with Artsper: Buy with confidence

At Artsper, our mission is to allow you to collect works of art with complete peace of mind. Discover the protections we offer at every stage of your shopping experience.

Buy works from top galleries

We work in close collaboration with carefully selected art galleries. Each seller on Artsper is carefully examined and approved by our team, thus ensuring compliance with our code of ethics. You therefore have the assurance of purchasing authentic, high-quality works.

Total transparency: you know what you are buying

Before being posted online, all artwork on Artsper is reviewed and validated by our moderation team. You can browse with complete peace of mind, knowing that each piece meets our criteria of excellence.

Personalized support: our experts at your service

Our team of contemporary art experts is available by phone or email to answer all your questions. Whether you want advice on a work or a tailor-made selection to enrich your collection, we are here to support you.

Resell your works with ease

If you have purchased a work on Artsper and wish to resell it, we offer you a dedicated platform to relist it. To find out more, click here.


Make offers with Artsper: negotiate like in a gallery

You have the possibility to propose a price for certain works, just like in a gallery. This feature allows you to initiate discussions and potentially acquire your coins at advantageous prices.

Get help with your negotiations

Our team will negotiate for you and inform you as soon as the best offer is obtained. Do not hesitate to call on our expertise to ensure a transaction at the best price.


Order securely

Artsper satisfaction assurance

We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If the work you receive is not to your liking, you have 14 days to return it free of charge, and you will be refunded in full, whatever the reason.

Secure payment with Artsper partners

All credit card payments are processed by Paybox, the world leader in payment solutions. Thanks to their strict security standards, you can transact with confidence.

Problem Support

In the rare event that an artwork arrives damaged or not as described, we are here to help. Whether for a return, refund, restoration or exchange, our team will support you throughout the process and will ensure that we find the solution best suited to your situation.

Conditions to benefit from Artsper protections:

  • Use one of the payment methods available on Artsper for your order.

  • Report any problems within one week of receiving the work.

  • Provide required photographic evidence (including original artwork and packaging).

Artsper guarantees cover the following cases:

  • The received work lacks a described characteristic (for example, a signature or frame).

  • The artwork has significant differences from its description (e.g. color variation).

  • The work is damaged upon receipt.

  • The work is lost or damaged by the carrier.

  • Delivery is significantly delayed.

With Artsper, you collect with complete peace of mind.