Nature and Art: Leonardo Guerra on Xochimilco's influence on his work

Leonardo Guerra is a visual artist from Mexico City whose work is rooted in research focused on the lake region of Xochimilco. Through disciplines such as painting and the creation of biomaterials made from native plants of the area, Leonardo explores the social and economic significance of the landscape.

The Trastienda team had the opportunity to join Leonardo on a trajinera* tour through Xochimilco, where we learned about the chinampas** that inspire his artwork. We also visited his studio and talked with him about his creative process.

* A chinampa is a traditional Mesoamerican agricultural technique involving small, rectangular areas of fertile arable land created on shallow lake beds. 

** A trajinera is a colorful, flat-bottomed boat used for transportation primarily in the canals of Xochimilco, Mexico. 

Why is Xochimilco important to you?
Xochimilco has always been linked to family; as a child, I used to come here with my grandfather. I associate it with that intimate landscape, but over time I’ve also seen it transform into a place of celebration and tourism. For those of us who live in the city, it’s one of the few remaining natural environments, a place to disconnect.

You studied Physics for a time, which gives you a scientific background. How did you transition from science to art?
From Physics, I took an interest in research, and especially in collaboration. When I began painting in Xochimilco, I was accompanied by chemists and biologists, who pointed out things I wouldn’t have noticed on my own. Initially, I was interested in sampling the most important plants of the area. However, in art, I found a more sensitive way to share that research, outside of the academic realm. My paintings are the result of an interdisciplinary research process.

What is the relationship between Xochimilco and your work?
I’m interested in exploring both the natural and symbolic construction of the environment. My paintings investigate this landscape, which fascinates me due to its complexity. Initially, I was inclined towards traditional landscape painting, but as I got to know the people who live and work here, I realized that Xochimilco is a convergence point for political and economic interests on both large and small scales. Moreover, the natural landscape coexists with human interventions, like the chinampas, which makes it even more intriguing.

How do you approach this contrast in your work?
I’ve always believed that modifying a landscape isn’t just a physical alteration; we also transform it through our perception, projecting meanings that come from our own experiences. I’m not interested in portraying an absolute truth or representing things as they are. I paint Xochimilco through my own interpretation, and I primarily do this through color, using tones that aren’t naturally found in the environment. My compositions are often a blend of different places within Xochimilco, capturing its many facets.

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Xochimilco X, 2024
Leonardo Guerra
Oil on canvas
80h x 60w x 3.8d cm