Paisaje Octagonal 08.

The Artist

Jairo Manzano.

CO

Manzano focuses on the fascinating relationship between nature and the human being. He grew up in a mid-sized city with a warm climate, where green spaces were limited to square planters with trees that provided shade to sidewalks and houses. During his career as an architect, he experienced firsthand how the design of vegetation was also restricted by percentages and categorized as "green zones," keeping wildlife contained, limited, domesticated, and confined. However, when thinking about uninhabited spaces, abandoned cities, or towns, nature emerges as the protagonist, and wildlife reclaims its place, like a silent character that was always present, waiting for the moment to shine. It is in this powerful interaction that he bases his artistic work and poses a profound conversation about the regenerative power, resilience, constancy, and exuberance of the organic and the finite nature of human-made creations. Through his drawings, created with millions of dots, and the meticulous construction of his paper sculptures, he seeks to faithfully represent every element of the natural kingdom, both flora and fauna. His goal is to bring back the essence of these virgin environments, reminding people that in urban spaces, the organic has been absent for centuries. With each stroke and each sculpture, he seeks to convey the beauty and vitality of nature, as well as highlight its capacity to reclaim its protagonism when allowed to flourish freely. His work is an invitation to reflect on the role of humans in this delicate ecosystem and to find a deeper connection with nature, promoting its protection and restoration for future generations.