carlos amorales
1970, Mexico City
Carlos Amorales’s work focuses on language and the impossibility/possibility of communicating through means that are unrecognizable or not codified, including through sounds, gestures and symbols. Amorales experiments at the line between image and sign using an array of platforms such as animation, video, film, drawing, installation, performance and sound. His practice establishes different forms of translation—instruments become characters in his films, letters become shapes and narratives unfold as non-verbal actions. The foundation for many of Amorales’s explorations is the Liquid Archive, a project composed of shapes, lines and nodes instead of words, which was created by the artist in 1998 and built upon for over ten years. In addition to the Liquid Archive, Amorales continues to develop further alphabets and systems to translate texts ranging from museum labels to short stories. The work of Amorales inhabits a parallel world, one of his own making, that constantly evolves as new works are produced.
Amorales studied in Amsterdam at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten (1996–1997) and Gerrit Rietveld Academie (1992–1995). He was artist in residence at the Atelier Calder in Saché, France (2012), Musée d’Art Contemporain du Val-de-Marne (MAC/VAL), Vitry-sur-Seine, France (2011) and part of the Smithsonian Artist Research Fellowship program in Washington, D.C. (2010).
Carlos Amorales lives and works in Mexico City.
carlos amorales
this person does not exist 45, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
this person does not exist 27, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
this person does not exist 17, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
anteparaíso 176, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
anteparaíso 168, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
anteparaíso 178, 2026
crayon on paper
95.3 x 70.2 cm (37 1/2 x 27 5/8 in.)
carlos amorales
battle 03, 2025
oil on canvas
160 x 120 cm (63 x 47 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
battle 04, 2025
oil on canvas
160 x 120 cm (63 x 47 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
battle 06, 2025
oil on canvas
160 x 120 cm (63 x 47 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
naga s skin (suit) 08, 2023
acrylic paint on momigami paper
180 x 73 x 26 cm (70 7/8 x 28 3/4 x 10 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
naga s skin (suit) 13, 2023
acrylic paint on momigami paper
180 x 73 x 26 cm (70 7/8 x 28 3/4 x 10 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
naga s skin (suit) 15, 2023
acrylic paint on momigami paper
180 x 73 x 26 cm (70 7/8 x 28 3/4 x 10 1/4 in.)
carlos amorales
iztaccíhuatl 37, 2023
acrylic on paper
64 x 97 cm (25.2 x 38.19 in.)
carlos amorales
fragmented states, 2023
6 channel digital video color w/ sound displayed on 6 ctr monitors
3:4 video loops with variable durations
carlos amorales
iztaccíhuatl 36, 2023
acrylic on paper
64 x 97 cm (25.2 x 38.19 in.)
carlos amorales
motion clapping 12, 2023
ink and pencil on paper
97 x 64 cm (38.19 x 25.2 in.)
carlos amorales
silent choir 33, 2023
acrylic on paper
353 x 113 cm (138.98 x 44.49 in.)
carlos amorales
motion clapping 11, 2023
ink and pencil on paper
97 x 64 cm (38.19 x 25.2 in.)
carlos amorales
jungla de estrellas (star jungle) 1, 2020
collage. painted cardboard cutouts glued on linen
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in.)
carlos amorales
jungla de estrellas (star jungle) 2, 2020
collage. painted cardboard cutouts glued on linen
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in.)
carlos amorales
jungla de estrellas (star jungle) 3, 2020
collage. painted cardboard cutouts glued on linen
40 x 30 cm (15.75 x 11.81 in.)
carlos amorales
the cursed village (from the installation life in the folds, venice), 2017
film black and white, with sound
13 min
carlos amorales
partituras abiertas para címbalos, 06, 2016
monotypes. engraving on metal plate on paper
188 x 138 x 9 cm (74.02 x 54.33 x 3.54 in.)
carlos amorales
notaciones para música de computadora, 07, 2015
charcoal on paper
80 x 140 x 9 cm (70.87 x 55.12 x 3.54 in.)
carlos amorales
the man who did all things forbidden, 2014
hd b/w video, sound
40 min.
carlos amorales
amsterdam, 2013
black and white digital film projected on screen, with sound
170 x 300 cm (66.93 x 118.11 in.) screen
21 min.
carlos amorales (in collaboration with julian lede)
orellana's fantasia, 2013
black and white digital film projected on screen, with sound 25 min.
170 × 300 cm (66.93 x 118.11 in.) screen
carlos amorales
diseño para biombo / máscara 1, 2013
set of 2. gouache on paper
186.5 x 269.5 x 9 cm (73.43 x 106.1 x 3.54 in.)
carlos amorales
ya veremos cómo todo reverbera, móvil b, 2012
steel, copper and epoxy paint
255 x 520 cm (100.39 x 204.72 in.)
carlos amorales
fax mantra (protective seals) 02, 2012
charcoal on paper
320 x 127 cm (125.98 x 50 in.)
carlos amoraless
skeleton images, 2011
set of 10. silver and gelatin on cotton paper
50 x 40 cm (19.69 x 15.75 in.) each
carlos amorales
skeleton images (compositions) 10, 2011
silver and gelatin on cotton paper
50 x 40 cm (19.69 x 15.75 in.)
carlos amorales
fábulas amorales 02, 2010
paper and gouache on cardboard
28 x 21.5 cm (11.02 x 8.46 in.)
carlos amorales
vertical arthquake #25, 2010
steel rulers and graphite on wall
320 cm (125.98 in.)
carlos amorales
the nightlife of a shadow III, 2005
oil on canvas
180 x 180 cm (70.87 x 70.87 in.)
carlos amorales
manimal, 2005
video animation with original music by julián lede, black and white
6 min.
carlos amorales
amorales vs amorales, 1999-2003
8 channels color video with sound transferred to dvd. video installation to be projected simultaneous on 8 monitors with hearing aids and posters.
carlos amorales
amorales interim, 1997
one-channel video projection on monitor, color
3 min 43 sec
carlos amorales
my dear rational blonde, 1996-2018
hd video, color and sound
3 min 30 sec
installation view of carlos amorales: anteparaíso, kurimanzutto mexico city, 2026. photo: gerardo landa & eduardo lópez
installation view of carlos amorales: anteparaíso, kurimanzutto mexico city, 2026. photo: gerardo landa & eduardo lópez
installation view of carlos amorales: anteparaíso, kurimanzutto mexico city, 2026. photo: gerardo landa & eduardo lópez
documentation of carlos amorales: estados fragmentados, polyforum cultural siqueiros, mexico city, 2024. photo: norushfilms–adolfo margulis
documentation of carlos amorales: estados fragmentados, polyforum cultural siqueiros, mexico city, 2024. photo: norushfilms–adolfo margulis
documentation of carlos amorales: estados fragmentados, polyforum cultural siqueiros, mexico city, 2024. photo: norushfilms–adolfo margulis
installation view of carlos amorales: words of mouths and hands, kurimanzutto, new york, 2023. photo: dan bradica.
installation view of carlos amorales: words of mouths and hands, kurimanzutto, new york, 2023. photo: dan bradica.
installation view of carlos amorales: words of mouths and hands, kurimanzutto, new york, 2023. photo: dan bradica.
installation view of carlos amorales: orgy or narcissus, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2020.
installation view of carlos amorales: orgy or narcissus, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2020.
installation view of carlos amorales: orgy or narcissus, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2020.
installation view of carlos amorales: the factory, stedelijk museum amsterdam, 2019. courtesy of the artist
installation view of carlos amorales: the factory, stedelijk museum amsterdam, 2019. courtesy of the artist
installation view of carlos amorales: the factory, stedelijk museum amsterdam, 2019. courtesy of the artist
installation view of carlos amorales: ghost demonstration, berkeley art museum and pacific film archive (bampfa), 2019. photo: jka photography
installation view of carlos amorales: ghost demonstration, berkeley art museum and pacific film archive (bampfa), 2019. photo: jka photography
installation view of carlos amorales: ghost demonstration, berkeley art museum and pacific film archive (bampfa), 2019. photo: jka photography
installation view of carlos amorales: axiomas para la acción (1996-2018), museo universitario de arte contemporaneo (muac), mexico city, 2018. photo: oliver santana
installation view of carlos amorales: axiomas para la acción (1996-2018), museo universitario de arte contemporaneo (muac), mexico city, 2018. photo: oliver santana
installation view of carlos amorales: axiomas para la acción (1996-2018), museo universitario de arte contemporaneo (muac), mexico city, 2018. photo: oliver santana
installation view of carlos amorales in viva arte viva, 57th venice biennale, 2017. photo: dario lasagni
installation view of carlos amorales in viva arte viva, 57th venice biennale, 2017. photo: dario lasagni
installation view of carlos amorales in viva arte viva, 57th venice biennale, 2017. photo: dario lasagni
installation view of carlos amorales: el esplendor geométrico, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.
installation view of carlos amorales: el esplendor geométrico, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.
installation view of carlos amorales: el esplendor geométrico, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.
installation view of carlos amorales: germinal, museo tamayo, mexico city, 2013. photo: diego perez
installation view of carlos amorales: germinal, museo tamayo, mexico city, 2013. photo: diego perez
installation view of carlos amorales: germinal, museo tamayo, mexico city, 2013. photo: diego perez
installation view of carlos amorales: el estudio por la ventana, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2010.
installation view of carlos amorales: el estudio por la ventana, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2010.
installation view of carlos amorales: el estudio por la ventana, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2010.
Solo exhibitions include: La vía de la máscara, Proyecto AMIL, Lima, Peru (2026); Anteparaíso, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2026); Nube negra, Fundación Casa de México en España, Madrid (2026); Rapsodias, Museo para la Identidad Nacional, Tegucigalpa, Honduras (2025); Battle, Kula Gallery, Split, Croatia (2025); Black Cloud, Phoenix Art Museum, Arizona (2025); La retórica de la máscara, Galería Macchina, Escuela de Arte UC, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago de Chile (2024); Words of Mouth and Hands, kurimanzutto, New York (2023); La serpiente de los días, Museo Kaluz, Mexico City (2022); Orgía de Narciso, as part of Siembra, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2020); The Factory, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam (2019); Axiomas para la acción, Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC), Mexico City (2018); traveled to Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (MARCO), Mexico (2019); Herramientas de trabajo, Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM), Colombia (2017); traveled to Museo La Tertulia, Cali, Colombia (2018); Prelude, Bellas Artes Projects Outpost, Manila, Philippines (2017); We’ll See How All Reverberates, National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne, Australia (2015); El esplendor geométrico, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2015); The Man Who Did All Things Forbidden, Cine Nilo, Santiago de Chile (2014); traveled to Philadelphia Museum of Art, Pennsylvania (2014); Germinal, Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2013); Supprimer, modifier et préserver, MAC/VAL, Vitry-sur-Seine, France (2011); Vivir por fuera de la casa de uno, Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2010); traveled to Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (MARCO), Mexico (2010); Working Class Today… Tomorrow Nuevos Ricos!, Kunsthalle Fridericianum, Kassel, Germany (2009); Faces, The Moore Space, Miami (2007); Dark Mirror, Daros Museum, Zurich, Switzerland (2007); traveled to Irish Museum of Modern Art, Dublin (2008); Contemporáneo 18: Carlos Amorales, Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires (MALBA), Argentina (2006); ¿Por qué temer al futuro?, Casa de América, Madrid (2005); traveled to Artium, Vitoria, Spain (2005); and Museo Universitario de Ciencias y Arte (MUCA), Mexico City (2006); The Forest, as part of The 59th Minute, Creative Time, New York (2004); Fighting Evil (with Style), USF Contemporary Art Museum, University of South Florida, Tampa (2002), among others.
Group exhibitions include: Fue de día, fue de tarde, fue fantástico, Fundación Casa de México en España, Madrid (2026); El horizonte siempre se aleja, Museo Tamayo, Mexico City (2025); Un inventario insólito: diálogos con el surrealismo, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2024); En el interior del cielo, Instituto Cultural de México en España, Madrid (2024); My Last Will, Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz, Germany (2023); traveled to Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain (2024); Animal Kingdom, Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, Skärhamn, Sweden (2023); TODOS JUNTOS (All Together), kurimanzutto, New York (2022); Alegorías del mal gobierno, Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Mexico City (2022); Cien del MUAC, Museo Universitario Arte Contemporáneo (MUAC), Mexico City (2021); El círculo que faltaba, Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM), Colombia (2019); traveled to Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2020); How to Read El Pato Pascual: Disney’s Latin America and Latin America’s Disney, MAK Center for Art and Architecture – Schindler House, West Hollywood, California (2017); Dreams&Dramas. Law as Literature, neue Gesellschaft für bildende Kunst (nGbK), Berlin (2017); Unresolved, de Appel arts centre, Amsterdam (2016); La La La Human Steps, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, the Netherlands (2015); Under the Same Sun: Art from Latin America Today, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York (2014); traveled to Museo Jumex, Mexico City (2015); and South London Gallery (2016); BOOK MACHINE, as part of Un nouveau festival, Centre Pompidou, Paris (2013); Tour d’Horizon, Migros Museum für Gegenwartskunst, Zurich, Switzerland (2012); Proyecto Juárez, Matadero Madrid (2011); Hareng Saur: Ensor and Contemporary Art, Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst (S.M.A.K.), Ghent, Belgium (2010); DLA Piper Series: This is Sculpture, Tate Liverpool, United Kingdom (2009); The Rocky Mountain People Show, Galleria civica di Trento, Italy (2008); Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, Barbican Centre, London (2008); Paixóns privadas, visións públicas, Museo de Arte Contemporánea de Vigo (MARCO), Spain (2008); All About Laughter: Humor in Contemporary Art, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo (2007); Los Ángeles-México. Complejidades y heterogeneidad, Galería Jumex, Ecatepec, Mexico (2006), among others.
Amorales has participated in many international biennials, including: Marche Démarche Manoeuvre, 10e Biennale nationale de sculpture contemporaine, Trois-Rivières, Canada (2022); Oku-Noto Triennale 2020+, Suzu, Japan (2021); Biennale Internationale d’Art Mural, Lille, France (2019); Mexican Pavilion at the 57th Venice Biennale (2017); Entre la idea y la experiencia, 12 Bienal de La Habana (2015); Social Factory, 10th Shanghai Biennale, China (2014); 8. Berlin Biennale (2014); Re:emerge – Towards a New Cultural Cartography, Sharjah Biennial 11, United Arab Emirates (2013); Integración y resistencia en la era global, 10 Bienal de La Habana (2009); Turn and Widen, 5th Seoul International Media Art Biennale, South Korea (2008); 2nd Moscow International Biennale of Contemporary Art (2007); 2. Berlin Biennale (2001), among others.
Museo Kaluz presents Carlos Amorales La serpiente de los días.
Carlos Amorales, Gabriel Orozco, Damián Ortega, and Minerva Cuevas are participating in the exhibition "cien del MUAC".
We are thrilled to be a part of this new gallery-led initiative - an online community of 50+ galleries dedicated to art from the Global South and its diaspora.
kurimanzutto is proud to participate in Art Basel OVR: Miami Beach 2020 featuring a selection of works by: Gabriel Orozco, Nairy Baghramian, Haegue Yang, Jimmie Durham, Damián Ortega, Abraham Cruzvillegas, Carlos Amorales, Roberto Gil de Montes, Wilfredo Prieto, Miguel Calderón.
On the Razor’s Edge is an international exhibition that brings together works within four thematic sections: migration and liberty; the human body; its environment; and the irrepressible and forever incomplete passage of time.
Read Carlos Amorales' thoughts and reflections on Covid-19 times.
Visit the exhibition The Factory by Carlos Amorales trhough a virtual tour and explore the artist's world of images.
Read full article about Carlos Amorales's reusable mouth mask project.
Read full article about Carlos Amorales' aid and sanitary protection project during the Covid-19 pandemic for people who work in the informal economies in the streets of Mexico City.
Read Carlos Amorales' manifesto titled Axioms for action.
Listen to Carlos Amorales' playlist Life in the folds on Spotify.
Eldorado seeks to be a movement that highlights the qualities on which the wealth of the Lille region is built: its inhabitants and their ability to invent new models for better living together, its companies, which are innovating to create a new economy and a network of links between artists, researchers and citizens.
For the Fondazione Adolfo Pini has conceived the exhibition l'ora dannata centred on the installation of the environmental dimensions Black Cloud and on various elements related to the project Life in the folds. The exhibition also includes silhouettes and other works by the artist, in a continuos change between images and signs.
In this new commission for the BAMPFA Art Wall, entitled Ghost Demonstration, Amorales draws from the multiple histories of mural art in Mexico, the political demonstrations that occurred in Berkeley in the 1960s (as well as more recent events), and protests in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.
Axiomas para la acción is a review of twenty-two years of Carlos Amorales' career proposed as an exhibition that emphasizes the conceptual aspects of his work.
The artist is mainly interested in language and the impossibility or possibility of communication through non-recognizable or un-codifed forms such as sounds, gestures and symbols, experiencing at the same time, the limits of image and sign through different mediums such as animation, video, cinema, drawing, installation, performance and sound.
