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Biography

dr. lakra - Artists - Kurimanzutto

dr. lakra

1972, Mexico City

The work of Jerónimo López Ramírez, better known as Dr. Lakra, is characterized by irreverent and provocative images that transgress established norms, leaving the viewer both attracted and repulsed. He first began developing his practice when joining Gabriel Orozco’s workshop Taller de los viernes from 1988 to 1991, together with Abraham Cruzvillegas, Damián Ortega, and Gabriel Kuri. While he is best known for his drawings and paintings on posters, erotic magazines and postcards, his practice also involves mural painting, collage and sculpture. Through these mediums he explores his interests in anthropology and ethnography, documenting his fascination with taboos, fetishes, myths and rituals of different cultures. An avid collector of diverse objects, Dr. Lakra views the search for materials and images as an essential aspect of his practice. His compositions combine historical and contemporary references, incorporating quotes from popular culture interwoven with religious and social iconographies. The way he juxtaposes and refashions these different elements reveals a deep understanding of art history, as well as a subversive sense of humor. Dr. Lakra dismantles and disrupts dominant ideologies to question what is considered civilized or barbaric, correct or incorrect, “high” or “folk” art. 


Dr. Lakra lives and works between Mexico City and Oaxaca, Mexico.

Installation Views

Installation Views Thumbnails
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.

 
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman


 

installation view of contracorrientes: dr. lakra & miguel covarrubias, kurimanzutto, new york, 2026. photo: zach hyman

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)


 

installation view of dr. lakra: tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2024. photo: gerardo landa / eduardo lópez (glr estudio)

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2018.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: monomito, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2015.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.


 

installation view of dr. lakra: mexican demons and dancing skeletons, with josé guadalupe posada, hostelbro kunstmuseum, denmark, 2012.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, the drawing center, new york, 2011.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, institute of contemporary art (ica), boston, massachusetts, 2010.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009. 


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009. 

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.

 
installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.


 

installation view of dr. lakra, kurimanzutto, mexico city, 2009.

 
dr. lakra - Artists - Kurimanzutto

notable solo exhibitions

Past solo exhibitions include: Tupi or not tupi, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2024); Dr. Lakra, Museo de Arte Miguel Urrutia (MAMU), Bogotá, Colombia (2024); Dr. Lakra, as part of Siembra, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2021); Carlos Amorales & Dr. Lakra, kurimanzutto out east, New York (two-person exhibition) (2021); Diario de Viaje, Instituto de Artes Gráficas de Oaxaca (IAGO), Mexico (2019); Yurugu: Diálogo entre Dr. Lakra y René Bustamante, Museo de la Ciudad, Querétaro, Mexico (two-person exhibition) (2018); Dr. Lakra, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2018); Dr. Lakra, Museo Mario Testino (MATE), Lima, Peru (2016); Dr. Lakra. Monomito, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2015); Dr. Lakra, Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, Skärhamn, Sweden (2015); Dr. Lakra y Toño Camuñas, Museo de los Pintores Oaxaqueños (MUPO), Oaxaca, Mexico (2014); Mexican Demons and Dancing Skeletons, Hostelbro Kunstmuseum, Denmark (2012); Dr. Lakra, Museo de la Ciudad de México, Mexico City (2011); Dr. Lakra, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Monterrey (MARCO), Mexico (2011); Dr. Lakra, Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2011); Dr. Lakra, The Drawing Center, New York (2011); Dr. Lakra, The Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston, Massachusetts (2010); Dr. Lakra, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2009); Los dos amigos, Dr. Lakra & Abraham Cruzvillegas, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Oaxaca (MACO), Mexico (two-person exhibition) (2005), among others.

selected group exhibitions and biennials

Past group exhibitions include: Diary of Flowers: Artists and their Worlds, The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Los Angeles (2025); Terrafilia. Más allá de lo humano en las colecciones Thyssen-Bornemisza, Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid (2025); A Story of a Merchant, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2023); TODOS JUNTOS (All Together), kurimanzutto, New York (2022); Ayuujkjä’ äy ëy Konk. Una fabulación basada en un mito mixe, Casa de Cultura Oaxaqueña, Oaxaca, Mexico (2022); traveled to Museu d’Art Contemporani de Barcelona (MACBA), Spain (2022); El tiempo en las cosas II. Salas de Arte Contemporáneo, Museo Amparo, Puebla, Mexico (2021); L’art du tatouage derrière les barreaux, Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Paris (2018); Tattoos: Ritual. Identity. Obsession. Art, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto (2016); Caleidoscopio y Rompecabezas. Latinoamérica en la Colección MUSAC, Centro Atlántico de Arte Moderno (CAAM), Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain (2016); Magnificent Obsessions: The Artist as Collector, Barbican Centre, London (2015); Degrees of Freedom, Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna (MAMbo), Italy (2015); Punxdefektuozoz. Work in progress, Muzeum Wspóczesne Wrocaw, Breslavia, Poland (2015); Tattoo – From Maritime Heroes to World Art, Brandts – Museum of Art and Visual Culture, Odense, Denmark (2014); Tatoueurs, tatoués, Musée du quai Branly – Jacques Chirac, Paris (2014); El hombre al desnudo. Dimensiones de la masculinidad a partir de 1800, Musée d’Orsay, Paris (2013); traveled to Museo Nacional de Arte (MUNAL), Mexico City (2014); Mexiko – Poesi & Politik, Nordiska Akvarellmuseet, Skärhamn, Sweden (2012); Painting with a hammer to nail the crotch of civilization: a group show of wall works and tattoo imagery, Manila Contemporary, Makati, Philippines (2010); Size DOES Matter, FLAG Art Foundation, New York (2010); Desenhos (Drawings): A-Z, Museu da ciudade, Lisbon, Portugal (2009); Inauguración del nuevo espacio, kurimanzutto, Mexico City (2008); Martian Museum of Terrestrial Art, Barbican Centre, London (2008); Goth: Reality of the Departed World, Yokohama Museum of Art, Japan (2007); Wunderkammer: A Century of Curiosities, The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), New York (2007); Escultura Social: A New Generation of Art from Mexico City, Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago (MCA Chicago) (2007); Mad Love, Arken Museum of Modern Art, Copenhagen, Denmark (2007); Pin-Up: Contemporary Collage and Drawing, Tate Modern, London (2004), among others.

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