Carlos Quinto Kemm

About the artist

Carlos Quinto Kemm, a visual artist whose work lives at the crossroads of memory, mythology, and metaphysics. His roots are deeply planted in the rich soil of Mexican and Latin American heritage, and his art is a constant dialogue between ancient cultural memory and the present moment. For more than four decades, he worked in painted dimensional collage—a form of assemblage that allows me to construct layered, three-dimensional worlds out of images, paint, texture, and symbols.

Carlos’ creative process is intuitive but intentional. He doesn’t begin with a blueprint; instead, he allows each piece to unfold, guided by personal symbols, fragments of stories, and emotional resonances. Many viewers describe his work as visionary or mystical. That’s fair—”I’m interested in the inner world: the unseen forces, archetypes, and dreams that shape how we live and how we heal“.

Themes of spiritual emergence, cultural hybridity, and personal transformation are constant in Carlos’ work. He draws heavily from indigenous Mesoamerican cosmology, Catholic iconography, and his own life experience. The works are often dense, even confrontational, because they carry layers of time, belief, and history. They are meant to be inhabited slowly.

For Carlos assemblage isn’t just a technique—it’s a philosophy. It reflects how we build identity: from fragments of family, memory, ritual, and resistance. He hopes is that people who see his work will not only recognize parts of themselves but also feel invited to explore their own symbolic language and spiritual questions.

“Art is my way of mapping the invisible. It’s my offering, my investigation, and my prayer”.

Artwork Themes & Subject Matter

The themes in Carlos Quinto Kemm’s work center around spirituality, cultural identity, and transformation, often explored through a deeply symbolic and layered visual language. Spirituality and mysticism are foundational, with imagery drawn from Catholic iconography interwoven with indigenous cosmology and metaphysical symbolism. His work serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. He also engages with themes of social justice and political commentary, using visual storytelling to address colonialism, the erasure of indigenous traditions, and the enduring resilience of marginalized communities.

Symbolism and allegory are central to my process; recurring motifs like snakes, skulls, eyes, and flames convey narratives of resistance, healing, and inner evolution. Vivid, saturated color plays a key role, heightening emotional resonance and enriching the surreal or sacred tone of each piece. Much of Carlos’ work reflects syncretism, merging Christian and indigenous belief systems to express the hybrid cultural identity shaped by postcolonial Latin America. Together, these themes create a multidimensional experience that invites reflection, connection, and spiritual inquiry.

Press

Carlos Quinto Kemm’s paintings have been featured in notable magazines, online sources and art books including Columbia University: A Journal of Literature and Art, RAiR at 50: Beyond the Gift of Time, Art in America, Visions Art Quarterly, Magical Blend Magazine, Kolaj Magazine, Radical Reimaginings, Contemporary Art in New Mexico, Santa Fe Fantasy: Quest for the Golden City, and Ceremony of Brotherhood.

Upcoming Exhibitions

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Education

1975

BA Art and Philosophy (Double Major), New Mexico Highlands University, Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States

1973

University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Studied under painter Elmer Schooley, New Mexico, United States

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Studied under muralist Romo Estrada, Mexico City, Mexico

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2024

For Democracy’s Sake, Exhibit/208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2015

A RAIR YEAR, Exhibit 208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2014

Metaphormations, Roswell Museum & Art Center, Roswell, New Mexico, United States

Selected Group Exhibitions

2024

25^th Summer Group Show, Exhibit/208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

 25^th Anniversary Group Show, Exhibit/208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2023

In the House Group Show, Exhibit/208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

24^th Annual Summer Group Show, Exhibit/208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Aquí Estamos: New Selections from the Permanent Collection”, The National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

 2022

Layered Meanings, Albuquerque Art Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

The Surrealist Dreamers of New Mexico Invitational Exhibition, Fusion Theater Company, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

See also

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PHOTOGRAPHYDIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHYFIGURATIVE ARTNUDE ARTSURREAL ART

Aaron Mcpolin

Special Hispanic Group Exhibition (in conjunction Son de Alla y Son Aca), Exhibit 208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2020

Radical Reimaginings, 518 Arts and Kolaj Institute, Curated International Online Exhibition

Sense of Wonder Invitational Exhibition, Fusion Art Space, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA *Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic

New Acquisitions Exhibition, The National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA *Cancelled due to Covid-19 Pandemic

2018

Group Exhibits, Kline Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Las Vegas, New Mexico, United States

2017

R.A.I.R. Alumni Exhibition, 50^th Anniversary, Roswell Museum & Art Center, Roswell, New Mexico, United States

2016

Fantasia Fantastica, Imaginative Space & Other Worldly Collage/Four Artists, The National Hispanic Cultural Center Art Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2015

Group Exhibition, Exhibit 208, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

Under the Influence: Psychedelic Art Exhibition (Museum Collection), Albuquerque Art Museum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States

2014

Group Exhibition, Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art (AMOCA), Roswell, New Mexico, United States