From Bogotá to the World: The Curatorial Vision of Gustavo Espinel Martínez

In the ever-evolving landscape of contemporary art, where exhibitions come and go. Trends shift almost overnight, and few approach curation not just as selection, but as a form of storytelling. Gustavo Espinel Martínez is one such curator, a visionary whose journey is rooted in personal experience, cultural immersion, and an unwavering commitment to the dialogue between artist, artwork, and audience. 

The Spark That Ignited a Lifelong Passion 

For Gustavo, the journey into art wasn’t sparked by a singular moment but grew from a tapestry of experiences that shaped his sensibilities from a young age. Reflecting on his childhood in Colombia, he shares: 

“During my adolescence, it was essential to encounter a wonderful selection of live arts at the Ibero-American Theater Festivals of Bogotá. Thanks to my parents, I was able to marvel at theatre, dance, and performance every two years for just two weeks. I remember going from one show to the next, and at the end of the week, I was so charged with emotions and feelings that I was very happy.” 

These festivals, meticulously curated by organisers and guided by his parents’ choices, instilled in him the profound power of curation—the ability to evoke emotion, spark curiosity, and leave an indelible impression. It was here, amid the pulsating rhythms of performance, that Gustavo’s love for the art of curation took root. 

Early Inspirations: The Artists Who Shaped His Eye 

While diverse experiences have marked Gustavo’s path, certain artists have left a lasting imprint on his vision. Among them, Colombian artist Delcy Morelos stands out: 

“Since I was in college and had an exhibition at the Art Museum, I’ve been impacted by her work, which, on a personal level, transcends the recurring themes of Colombian artists in recent decades: memory, reconciliation, return… She doesn’t stray from what moved her from the beginning, from her connection with the materiality of the work that goes beyond a trend or movement.” 

Her large-scale installations, whether at the Venice Biennale or the DIA Foundation, challenged Gustavo’s perception of space, materiality, and narrative, teaching him that art’s power lies not just in visual impact but in the stories it weaves and the emotions it awakens. 

A Global Perspective on Curation 

In today’s interconnected world, Gustavo’s approach embraces the richness of multiple perspectives, blending local and global insights to craft exhibitions that resonate universally. He explains: 

“The curator’s work must be parallel to the artist’s; they shouldn’t seek to intervene in their decisions or provide guidance. They must possess the perceptive capacity to create a narrative that powerfully engages the viewer.” 

For him, the curator’s role is not to dominate but to mediate—ensuring that each artwork finds its voice while creating a meaningful dialogue with the audience. Respect for both the artist and the viewer remains a guiding principle, whether curating a small gallery show in Bogotá or a large-scale installation abroad. 

The Alchemy of Exhibition-Making 

Every exhibition begins as a spark—an idea, a conversation, or even the constraints of a specific project. Gustavo describes the process as fluid, almost organic: 

“Curatorial work navigates like the creativity of an artist: it emerges, changes, adapts, stagnates, is reborn, disperses, flows, and reaches a point where a satisfactory individual-collective result is achieved.” 

Some exhibitions arise from the physicality of a space, others from virtual landscapes—even as far-reaching as the metaverse. Some start with a casual conversation with an artist friend, while others are responses to calls or contractual requests. Each project is unique, demanding sensitivity, intuition, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty until the story reveals itself. 

Beyond Selection: The Modern Curator’s Responsibility 

In Gustavo’s eyes, a curator’s role is evolving. It’s no longer enough to simply select artworks and arrange them beautifully. Today, exhibitions must respond to audiences who seek connection, inclusivity, and immersive experiences. 

“Exhibitions and museums are in crisis. Therefore, the curator’s challenge must transcend simple selection. They must understand the audience’s needs and expectations, fully aligned with the artistic proposal that demands to be shown. More than the ‘what,’ they must focus on the ‘how,’ where inclusion, accessibility, integration, and multiparity should not be left as an option.” 

This perspective places human experience at the centre of curation, emphasising empathy, cultural sensitivity, and engagement as the foundation of impactful exhibitions. 

Curating in a Rapidly Evolving Art World 

The role of the curator is evolving faster than ever, shaped by digital transformation, AI, and an increasingly interconnected global art scene. Gustavo reflects on these challenges: 

“It’s even more complex due to the amount of information available and the immediacy of processing it (AI). Therefore, the challenge is even greater to create a process that is interesting for all parties involved in the artistic production-viewer-collector chain. In Latin America, the situation is even more complex because, when it comes to cultural institutional resources, they are increasingly scarce in the face of an exponentially growing artistic ecosystem, resulting in fewer resources for curatorial processes, which many professionals are interested in managing. Likewise, the diversity of artistic expressions demands an increasingly broad and diverse perspective from the curator.” 

For Gustavo, the digital age amplifies both the opportunities and responsibilities of curators. The immediacy of information, coupled with the growing diversity of artistic expression, demands curators who are adaptable, perceptive, and capable of balancing technological tools with the human touch. It’s not just about presenting art—it’s about crafting experiences that resonate across contexts, mediums, and audiences. 

Celebrating Impactful Projects 

Among his many accomplishments, Gustavo highlights SOMOS CIRCO, a project with Colombia’s Ministry of Culture and Circus Secretariat, as one of his most meaningful undertakings. This exhibition delved into nearly two centuries of circus history in Colombia, combining photographs, historical objects, video installations, and live activations: 

“It brought together diverse actors from the Colombian circus world, achieving a unique impact on more than 15,000 attendees over nearly two months of exhibition in Bogotá and Cali. The exhibitions successfully reached multiple audiences and stimulated the circus arts sector in the cities where they were held. It had such a broad impact that public policies for the sector and many of its stakeholders were promoted and designed.” 

This project exemplifies Gustavo’s conviction that curation can extend far beyond walls, creating ripples that impact communities, policies, and cultural memory. 

The Thrill of Discovery 

Even after years of working with countless artists and artworks, Gustavo remains captivated by the unexpected—by materiality, context, and the subtle passage of time captured in a piece: 

“I’m deeply interested in context and what it can represent at a given moment, in a given place, in a given situation… I’m also surprised by the relationship with materiality and how the artist assumes it. As an expert in forensics, I’m interested in how the passage of time is reflected in the work itself, how time finds its meaning.” 

For him, each exhibition is a journey of discovery—a dance between the familiar and the unknown, the planned and the spontaneous. 

Guidance for Emerging Curators and Artists 

Gustavo’s advice to those entering the international art scene is clear: passion must be matched by adaptability and entrepreneurship. 

“Artists and curators must be entrepreneurs to find their place in a world of process simplification with AI and ever-increasing demand for unconventional media… the ‘hermit artist’ can hardly survive in an increasingly voracious cultural environment.” 

Navigating the art world today requires not just talent but an understanding of systemic dynamics, the courage to innovate, and the ability to seize opportunities across multiple platforms.  

Guidance for Emerging Curators and Artists 

Gustavo’s advice to those entering the international art scene is both pragmatic and inspiring. He emphasises that understanding the systemic nature of the art world is essential: 

“The artistic ecosystem responds to systemic principles, so it is imperative that its key stakeholders be aware of this. It’s controversial to say this, but it must be accepted today: today, artists/curators must be entrepreneurs to find their place in a world of immediacy, process simplification with AI, and ever-increasing specialised demand for unconventional media… the ‘hermit artist,’ to which one might add curator-cultural manager-gallerist-critic, can hardly survive in an increasingly voracious cultural environment.” 

In other words, passion alone is not enough. Today’s emerging curators and artists must combine creativity with strategy, adaptability, and an entrepreneurial mindset to thrive. Gustavo’s perspective promotes a balance between artistic integrity and the practical demands of a rapidly evolving global art ecosystem. 

Inspirations Beyond the Gallery 

Even outside the gallery, Gustavo’s creativity finds expression in dance—specifically, the contemporary Butoh dance, which allows him to explore emotion, movement, and the human condition. His admiration for artists like Delcy Morelos reflects his ongoing search for work that resonates both locally and globally: 

“An artist with a coherent approach that responds not only to a local context. She takes risks, proposes, responds, and remains current… Her participation in the Venice Biennale, the DIA Foundation, and this year at the MUAC in Mexico is a testament to this.” 

Looking Ahead: Projects on the Horizon 

Currently, Gustavo is appraising the collection of Bancolombia, Colombia’s largest bank, which features iconic works by Botero, Obregón, Manzur, Grau, Villamizar, and Negret. This work allows him to deepen his understanding of cultural heritage while planning future exhibitions that highlight modern artistic milestones: 

“I hope that with a deep understanding of this cultural and heritage legacy, I can undertake curatorial and research projects that can enhance its historical and heritage significance and highlight other artists and their work, inspired by major modern artistic milestones.” 

A Curatorial Voice Worth Following 

Gustavo Espinel Martínez’s journey is not just a story of exhibitions and installations—it is a celebration of curiosity, cultural dialogue, and the transformative power of art. At Elisium Art, we are truly honoured to feature Gustavo in our Curator’s Blog Series. His vision, passion, and meticulous approach resonate deeply with our own commitment to connecting art, artists, and audiences worldwide. 

We are amazed by his insights and the depth of his curatorial practice, and this feature is just the beginning. Stay tuned for more stories in our Curator’s Blog Series, where we will continue to explore the minds, methods, and inspirations of remarkable curators shaping the contemporary art world today. 

Gustavo’s work exemplifies the values we champion at Elisium Art: thoughtful curation, cultural sensitivity, and a dedication to creating meaningful experiences through art. We are fortunate to share his perspective and look forward to the ongoing dialogue his work inspires among artists, collectors, and enthusiasts worldwide.