Manuel Solano

Critical text

Manuel Solano’s (b. 1987, Mexico City) work is made from memory, a memory that holds images from the time before they became blind due to an HIV-related infection at the age of 26. Solano developed strategies to carry on with their work, like using their hands or relying on audio descriptions made by friends and assistants. Solano’s best-known works are their striking and expressive paintings, which are mostly disguised self-portraits in which pop-culture references and affective memories from their Mexican upbringing meet elements of their daily life as a blind transgender with Aids now living in Berlin.

Text by Fernanda Brenner, Ilaria Gianni

The artist’s voice

My life has been a continuous process of adapting to new life-altering, often limiting circumstances and traumatic events, by harnessing my sense of self and putting it into my work.