Mexican street artist Senkoe tells ANANYA BORGOHAIN about pre-Hispanic art and the dream world that inspire his works, and also discusses the evolution of street art in his country as he shares his experiences of painting both in Mexico and Delhi
Mexican street artist Senkoe recently visited Delhi and graced some walls of the city with his creations that merge colour and culture. Brought to the city by the St+Art India group and also hosted by the Embassy of Mexico, Senkoe created delightful murals in several corners of the city.
He painted three vibrantly coloured ajolote on the driveway wall at the Embassy in New Delhi. Ajotoles are alluring, whimsical creatures found in Mexico’s habitat. The word ajolote is said to have originated from the Nahuatl axolotl — an endangered salamander — and is native to Mexico. Its name could also refer to a “water monster” or a “water dog”, both associated with the Aztec god Xolotl, brother of Quetzalcoatl.
Senkoe explains, “The word ajolote connoted movement, of life and transformation. I believe and admire what it represents and also because it’s such a Mexican animal, I prefer to base my artworks on this concept. I started painting when I was 12. It was just a hobby then. I studied Pedagogy in the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and worked for a year before I started pursing this both professionally and passionately.”
His work shows influences of two principal sources: Pre-Hispanic art and the dream world. He says, “We in Mexico revere the natural elements; the ones that permeate the earth. Be it the moon, food, or a shaman, we are culturally intrigued by all. I try to manifest the same in my works.”
He says that street art in Mexico is grooming itself well. People encourage it and the Government has also started to sponsor street art festivals. However, he adds, “Rampant corruption has taken a toll on the interests towards this form of art. Mismanagement and inefficiency has cost a lot, to the extent that big and prospective art projects have got cancelled. But still, the younger lot, more precisely youths aged 20-30 have been quite active in this field of late. In India though, the ambience is more transparent and accepted now. I came here earlier too, for the Street Art Festival in Delhi last year.” His family, he says, stands by him strongly. A similarity that Senkoe says that he finds between the streets of Delhi and Mexico is that people in both places welcome street art. “Some even come up to me and start talking or asking questions in Hindi. Maybe I look like an Indian to them,” he grins.
Senkoe’s works also entail botanical illustrations, cartoons, nature, literature, and much more that embody an eclectic yet vivid imagination.
Over a decade since he started his career, he has collaborated with brands such as Converse, and HBO. He has been an active participant in street art festivals, exhibitions and a sensitiser in teaching-related graffiti activities, more so in the marginalised populations.
Melba Pria, Mexico’s Ambassador in India, travels in an autorickshaw that runs on CNG and that has her diplomatic number plate and country’s flag.
Senkoe spray-painted it with a bright floral design exhibiting yellow and orange flowers. These represent the spirit of Mexico and these attributes are common particularly in the textiles of Oaxaca, a State in Southern Mexico.
Not just that, the artist was also commissioned by the DMRC — along with St+Art India — to paint that walls of the Arjangarh metro station. The murals in the station were inspired by the indigenous flora and fauna found in India.
Besides that, he also visited certain parts of Himachal Pradesh for his work.
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