Hector Madera

Héctor Madera was born in Bayamón, Puerto Rico in 1977, and currently lives and works in Mexico City.

The work of Héctor arises from personal experiences and the observation of everyday situations in which the day-to-day struggle is reflected. Embarrassing situations, unfortunate circumstances and insignificant achievements are the inspiration of his artistic practice. Through different media ranging from collage, neon sculptures and large-scale paintings, Madera evokes emotional states that range from sadness and frustration, to ecstasy and joy.

Among his most recent stand out exhibitions: Leyendas de la cancha with Bobby Cruz at Km0.2 (San Juan, PR, 2020); YO NACÍ EN UN MARATÓN at Casa Equis (Mexico City, MX, 2020).

His work has been exhibited at El Museo del Barrio (New York, USA); the Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de San Juan (San Juan, PR); Museo La Ene (Buenos Aires, AR); the Saatchi Gallery (London, UK) and the Taipei Fine Art Museum –TFAM (Taipei, TW).

Hector is wearing Limited Edition No. 45 and No. 46 in his home in Roma Norte photographed by Alana Burns.

TIME AFTER TIME

Morning routine: alarm at 6:30 am, there is plenty of water, there is water, there is no time for me, and there is no need.

Drink of choice: water.

Nighttime ritual : my phone alerts me at 10 that the wind down starts to release me at type 11 - 11:30 a.m. it's on the move.

Favorite workout : running, meditation.

Current uniform: everything it has with my MADERA brand.

FOR THE TIME BEING

Book you're reading: THE NEW LUXURY (defining the aspirational in the age of hype).

Song or album on repeat: Alan Tew - drama suite part 2.

Most-used app: WhatsApp, Instagram, Libra.

Favorite podcast: Mike Tyson podcast.

TV show you're watching: the last of us.

Last movie you saw: smile.

Artist who inspires you at the moment: michel majerus.

Best recent discovery: la comida costarricense.

QUIET TIME

Self-care strategies: meditation, running, mucha loción para todo el cuerpo, la cara, el pelo y la soledad.

Can't-live-without-it beauty product: loción tanto para pelo como para cara y el cuerpo.

Place where you go to relax: good walk or voy a la playa.

PASTTIME

Off-duty activity or hobby: walking.

Favorite charity that's worth your time : helping cats, give them food, and some of them are lost and sterilized. Hay a big problem of Gatos callejeros in mid city of San Juan. Entonces trato como puedo de liviándose la situación one cat at a time.

Guilty pleasure to (wonderfully) waste your time: ver peleas viejas de mma. So you see me informed every time you get to the deport.

OF ALL TIME

Smartest advice ever received: breathe.

Most inspiring trip: mi viaje por la costa Amalfitana en Italia.

Best gift you ever got: mi Vespa.

Most memorable meal : asopao de gandules con bolitas de platano y carne de res.

TIMELESS

Three objects you think will stand the test of time: mi Vespa, mi obra, mi casa.

IN TIME

What's your next project? A group show I am curating for adhesivo contemporary in may.

What are you looking forward to in 2023? To keep creating my art, keep designing and further developing my clothing line MADERA and for sure keep having fun.

TIME WILL TELL

Ten years from now, you will: have more success as an artist and entrepreneur. And will be living an even healthier life.

Invention or innovation you most want to see in the future: to tax all millionaires and billionaires in the world so that we can help people who have no food, people who have less.