Marcelo Lavin is an artist and a digital animator from Mexico, who draws vibrant colored digital illustrations. Influenced by surrealism, his artworks are intriguing visuals of contemporary Mexican culture.

Lavin started painting as a child while growing up in his hometown Mexico City, whose culture is largely influenced by its centuries-long oppression. His first attempts were mimicking the well-known Hispanic names of surreal visual arts, such as Picasso, Joan Miró, and Rufino Tamayo, painting likewise with acrylics and oils. Eventually, he discovered the use of the digital airbrush and started drawing on the digital plane with his own style. At SAE Institute México, which is a school of subjects like audio engineering, graphic design, and digital filmmaking, Lavin completed his degree in digital animation and came up with his current art form.

As life in Mexico became similar to its neighboring United States with the long since adopted European traditions, the heap of foreign influence could not be missed. Interpreting this social reality as an encouragement, Lavin aims to create artworks that reflect the native culture. He points out that there is a deep need for personal expression in this setting, and tries to visualize it through subjective experiences and thoughts. His interests in philosophy, dreams, consciousness, and how technology can render the mind are what come to light in his illustrations.

While the glowing and hazy colors on Lavin’s illustrations bring a joyful sense to the viewers, the scenarios of the artworks are uneasy to process. Lavin forms these unsettling compositions intentionally, paving the way for both curiosity and triggers that one seeks out in dreams. Thus and so, he takes his part in the new age Mexican fine arts, while creating a possibility for personal interpretation.

You can check out Marcelo Lavin’s artworks through this Instagram page @artemarcelolavin, and tell us what you think about them in our comment section.