Martins&Montero presents Passantes [Passersby], a new exhibition by artist Lia D Castro, opening on April 1. The show features brand-new works and offers a critical re-examination of art history, challenging traditional notions of representation, inclusion, and identity.

In this series, Castro departs from a symbolic gesture: purchasing still-life paintings and landscapes from antique shops, which she then transforms by adding painted male feet. These feet belong to men raised by women—mothers, aunts, grandmothers—in a matriarchal context. Castro also employs a visual twist by turning the paintings upside down, creating an optical counterpoint that invites viewers to see the works from a fresh perspective. This inversion suggests a reinterpretation of both the museum and art history, challenging what she calls the “colonial retina,” a term for the Eurocentric view that has long shaped the creation and reception of images.

By incorporating these elements into traditional still-life paintings, the artist not only challenges the passive, contemplative nature of these compositions but also invites deeper reflection on the need to revisit and rethink long-established artistic paradigms. By redefining the traditional interpretation of these images, Castro creates a space for dialogue where re-signification becomes the driving force behind an aesthetic discourse that defies tradition and pushes the boundaries of contemporary art.

Inspired by philosopher Achille Mbembe’s ideas about the condition of the foreigner as a “passerby,” Castro explores themes of borders, limits, and exclusions. Her work revives a tradition of representation that, while seemingly ordinary at first glance, reveals the complex interplay of social and political dynamics. The works on display deliver a powerful commentary on the impact of Western colonialism on art’s cultural and historical norms.
Ultimately, the exhibition challenges viewers to question the intersections of privilege, vulnerability, and power. Lia D Castro invites us to look at art beyond dominant narratives and to acknowledge the experiences of those who have been historically marginalized. Her work carries an intrinsic subtlety, with a sense of intimacy and tenderness that resonates even within the most provocative themes.