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​Welcome to Hugo Gabán Gallery established in 2023 in the radiating high desert town of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Contemporary Mexican art thrives, drawing inspiration from Mexican folk culture's vibrant traditions and colors. As you immerse yourself in our space, it is vital for us and our visitors to acknowledge that O'gah'poh geh Owingeh (White Shell Water Place), now known as Santa Fe, rests on the ancestral lands of the Tewa people. These lands are also connected to the Pueblo, Apache, and Diné communities, whose enduring presence enriches our understanding of art, culture, and heritage. We honor and celebrate their ongoing stewardship of this land, weaving their stories into the vibrancy of our artistic expression.  The gallery is the ultimate testament to the long-held aspiration that was achieved.
WATCH OUR GRAND OPENING: 
Located in artistic downtown Santa Fe, a  block from the Main Plaza 

Address: 
Plaza Mercado -Suite 108A
​ ~Best access through Water St~
112 W San Francisco St. Santa Fe, NM

Hours: Fridays 11:00AM-3:30PM -Saturdays & Sundays 11:30AM - 4:30PM
Private showings by appointment (816) 288-7169


From México via the Midwest ~

by Brian Sanford
Picture
Guadalajara, Mexico, is almost exactly a day’s drive — 24 hours — from Santa Fe.  In terms of the art and culture, it might as well be a world away. 

​Artist Hugo Ximello-Salido grew up in the city, the capital of the state of Jalisco, and showcases Mexican contemporary art at his new downtown Santa Fe gallery and studio, Hugo Gabán.

The inspiration for the “Hugo” part of the name is obvious. As for gabán, it’s a traditional textile worn in Mexico, Ximello-Salido says.

“From artists like José Guadalupe Posada and Remedios Varo to Frida Khalo and Gabriel Orozco, gabán symbolizes Mexican heritage, culture, and traditions,” Ximello-Salido says. He operated a business of the same name in Kansas City, Missouri, and opened the Santa Fe version in November 2023. Ximello-Salido moved to Northern New Mexico in 2022 — he praises the region’s understanding of culture and ethnicity.
SOLD as Public Art
​ "The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes"  soon will be Permanently Exhibiting at National Hispanic Cultural Center 
​Albuquerque, New Mexico
A February exhibit at Hugo Gabán, Gender Fluidity in its Complexity, explores “the three-dimensional ensemble of instruments expressing the deepest understanding for gender fluidity.” It includes his documentary MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture, about gender fluidity in Mexico’s Oaxaca state. The documentary is set to be screened at several locations in Kansas City and two in Chicago, as well as in Oaxaca, Guadalajara, and Mexico City, Ximello-Salido says.



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Previously exhibited at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Currently displayed at The Kansas City Kansas Community College’s
​permanent art collection.

The Fineness of Gender Fluidity, 2023 
Hugo Ximello-Salido
Mexican, born 1982
The Finesse of Gender Fluidity, 2023
Acrylic, ink, tinted resin, brass, copper tape, nailstacks, textiles (resplandor/huipil grande) copper lights, mixed media on canvas.
​ 
I am interested in the intersection of gender fluidity and cultural traditions. The huipil grande, or resplandor, is a majestic ancestral headdress of the indigenous Zapotec peoples of Oaxaca, Mexico. It crowns the exposed bones of the painted figure, echoing La Catrina, the sacred Día de los Muertos symbol, representing the duality of life and death. The lettering on the sides of the canvas acknowledges the presence of third-gender expression throughout the world, deeply inspired in particular by the Muxe, a third-gender in Zapotec culture.
Artists and art are multilayered ~
​
Each artist in this exhibition is a nuanced individual, with many layers informing their identity and the stories they tell through their art. Among them are their experiences, passions, and roles in our community. These layers are interwoven with strong personal ties to Mexico, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, Uruguay, and Peru. 

​Like the artists themselves, their art is also multifaceted—composed of layers of subject matter, materials, and meaning.  At the intersection of these layers, there is evidence of lived experiences. Artists also reckon with immigration and LGBTQIA+ issues as well as address family dynamics, ancestral relationships, healing, place, and more. While some of these layers reveal, others purposefully protect and conceal. 
​
The power to authentically tell one’s own story is significant. It can foster connection, promote understanding, preserve history, and signify resilience. For this exhibition, the artists wrote labels to accompany their art and recorded audio interviews. 

PUBLIC ART ~

Funded by the art in Public Places Program New Mexico Arts Department of Cultural Affairs


Finalist Artist Hugo Ximello-Salido by juros of the 
​"New Mexico Only Purchase Initiative", NM
The Art in Public Places Program enriches New Mexico's public spaces through an innovative and diverse public art collection. Since its inception in 1986, the program has placed more than 2,500 works of art in all of New Mexico's 33 counties. Our goal is to reflect the diversity of the arts in New Mexico, the Southwest, and nation while building a dynamic public art collection for the State of New Mexico.

The Tuning of Gender Fluidity

Public Art 
Casa de Peregrinos 
Las Cruces, NM

This sculpture is part of a series of works exploring gender fluidity. The de-constructed and re-configured manner of presenting the fiddle suggests how our perceptions of gender can be tuned just like an instrument. The light emanating from the body of the instrument depicts a breakthrough in this boundary as we achieve a better understanding of the many, equally valid ways gender can be expressed and perceived.
The Tuning of Gender Fluidity, 2020 
26" x 18" x 10"
Violin, brass/Copper wire, Mixed media on Antique Wooden Table

The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes



The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes, 2021
52" x 17" x 21"
Ink, Coil, Copper Light, Steel & Mixed Media on Cello

Public Art
National Hispanic Cultural Center 
Albuquerque, NM

The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes is a piece dedicated to projecting the complexity and intricacy of an alebrije's soul. The artist hopes to help the viewer imagine its creation from beginning to end, just as an alebrije (traditional Mexican folk sculpture) changes and evolves rapidly through the carving and painting process. The soul of an alebrije is mystical and enigmatic, like the sparkles of light emanating from within the cello. By transforming the conventional physical structure of the cello, the artist bridges the contextual and non-contextual gap, creating an atmosphere of wonder and self-awareness of how the soul of an alebrije can be imagined. ​

MORE PUBLIC ART~

Funded by East Tennessee State University & permanently displaying at The Dr. Patricia Robertson Center

The Path to Gender Fluidity

The Path to Gender Fluidity, 2021
349" (29.08 ft.)  x 41"
Textiles/Fabrics, Copper lights/brass on Lonetilla

Public Art
East Tennessee Sate University 

Created in Mexico with traditional textiles, this sculpture is inspired by the topography of Oaxaca, where the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Mixtec Mountain ranges make the state one of the most diverse in terrain. The work represents the discovery of gender fluidity as a journey and the awareness that gender can be perceived through many lenses, including through the history of the Zapotec culture that still resonates today. The lighter path shows the way towards a better understanding of gender fluidity and the Muxe community's culture and traditions, as well as celebrating the personal discovery of such a rich culture and its Zapotecan heritage.

The Finesse of Gender Fluidity


​The Finesse of Gender Fluidity, 2023
​56" x 28" 12"
Acrylic, ink, tinted resin, brass, copper tape, nailstacks, textiles (resplandor/huipil grande) copper lights, mixed media on canvas.  

Public Art
Kansas City Kansas Community College

I am interested in the intersection of gender fluidity and cultural traditions. The huipil grande, or resplandor, is a majestic ancestral headdress of the indigenous Zapotec peoples of Oaxaca, Mexico. It crowns the exposed bones of the painted figure, echoing La Catrina, the sacred Día de los Muertos symbol, representing the duality of life and death. The lettering on the sides of the canvas acknowledges the presence of third-gender expression throughout the world, deeply inspired in particular by the Muxe, a third-gender in Zapotec culture.


​About the Artist~ 

Hugo Ximello-Salido (B. 1982) is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersections of culture, identity, and language. Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Ximello-Salido's artistic journey began at a young age, influenced by his family's artistic heritage and his passion for creative expression. His early fascination with Mexican folk art and culture laid the foundation for his unique style, which blends traditional aesthetics with contemporary themes.

A pivotal moment in Ximello-Salido's artistic trajectory came during his teenage years when he first visited Oaxaca. This transformative experience ignited a lifelong connection to the region and its rich cultural heritage. Years later, his encounter with the Muxe community deepened his understanding of gender fluidity and inspired his latest project, MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture. By immersing himself in this unique hyperlocal community, Ximello-Salido sought to understand the present of gender duality, a practice deeply embedded in Zapotec indigenous culture and transmitted through generations. He believes that hyperlocal art practices can significantly impact national and global discourse.

Ximello Salido’s artwork has been exhibited in galleries and at events in México, across the United States, and Europe, and the artist has been featured in several print articles. Ximello Salido's work in the United States includes an exhibit at the Agora Gallery in New York City, NY, participation in Art Santa Fe 2023, an exhibit at the Kansas City Museum, and group exhibitions at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. His permanent exhibition & Public art includes, "The Finesse of Gender Fluidity," at the Kansas City Kansas Community College,  "The Tuning of Gender Fluidity" at Casa de Peregrinos- Las Cruces, NM, "The Path to Gender fluidity" at East Tennessee Sate University- Johnson City, TN- "The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes" at The National Hispanic Cultural Center, Albuquerque, NM, further highlights the importance of understanding and celebrating diverse gender identities. ​​​​​

~ MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture ~

Official Trailer

"As part of my ongoing effort to celebrate and explore Mexican culture through art, I have been greatly inspired by Muxe - one-of-a-kind individuals who are assigned male at birth but grow up to dress and behave in ways traditionally associated with women. While there is some overlap with the transgender community, Muxe exist within a particular cultural context in Oaxaca, Mexico. They are not transgender women, as they don’t identify as women; they identify as Muxe. The Zapotec culture, concentrated in Oaxaca, is dominantly Catholic today and yet accepts Muxe as a vibrant and even necessary part of the community."
Hugo Ximello-Salido
​Mexican Artist

​​~ Documentary details & Streaming Instructions  ~

Run Time: 1 hour & 45 minutes
Audio: English, Spanish & Zapotec Stereo
Subtitles: English, Spanish & Zapotec ​

~ STREAM NOW ~

Recent showings of Ximello-Salido’s work include:
​
-JUNE 2025, National Hispanic Cultural Center Public Art - "The Intricate Soul of Alebrijes", Albuquerque, NM
-MARCH 2025, East Tennessee State University, Public Art - "The Path to Gender Fluidity", Johnson City, TN
​-MAY 2025,  Mexican Consulate Kansas City,  "Resplandores: The Ancestral Muxe Duality" -Kansas City, MO
-SEPTEMBER 2024, Lincoln Memorial University,  "The Path to Gender Fluidity" -Mountain Fiesta- Cumberland Gap, TN
-MARCH 2024, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, ​ Public Art-"The Tuning of Gender Fluidity"- Las Cruses, NM
-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024, Slocum Galleries- Tipton Gallery, "Migration: Latinx Exhibition", Johnson City, TN
-MARCH 2024, Mesilla Valley Community of Hope, ​ Public Art-"The Tuning of Gender Fluidity"- Las Cruses, NM
-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2024, Slocum Galleries, "Corazón Latino", Johnson City, TN
-JUNE 28TH 2024, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art ~World Premiere -"MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture" Kansas City, MO-
-JUNE 12th- JULY 6th 2024, Prism Arts~Gruet Winery "Gender, Culture & Tradition" Santa Fe, NM
-APRIL 23rd- MAY10th 2024, Strata Gallery,  "Inner Sanctuaries: Exploring Domestic Spaces", Santa Fe, NM
-FEBRUARY 2024, Hugo Gabán, "Gender Fluidity in Its Complexity", Santa Fe, NM
-OCTOBER 2023- SEPTEMBER 2024, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, "A Layered Presence", Kansas City, MO
-SEPTEMBER 2023- SEPTEMBER 2025, Finalist Artist by juros of the "New Mexico Only Purchase Initiative", NM
-MAY 2023- PRESENT- Kansas City Kansas Community College, "The Path to Gender Fluidity",  Kansas City, KS
-NOVEMBER-JANUARY 2023, 80 Santa Fe Gallery, "Small Works", Overland Park, KS
-NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023, Kansas City Artists Coalition, "Art For All", Kansas City, MO
-JULY-OCTOBER 2023, Southwest Virginia Community College, "Corazon Latino" Ellen Elmes Gallery", Cedar Buff, VA
-JULY 2023, Art Santa Fe, "Art Week Santa Fe" Contemporary art & Design Fair, Santa Fe, NM
-JULY 2023, Parade of Homes Santa Fe, "31st Annual Parade of Homes" , Santa Fe, NM
-JULY-AUGUST, 2023- Electra Gallery, “Cosmic Threads”, Santa Fe, NM
​-JULY 2023 - Santa Fe Convention Center, "Art Santa Fe", Santa Fe, NM
-JUNE-JULY 2023, Interurban Arthouse, "Queer Narratives Festival",  Overland Park, KS
~JUNE - JULY 2023- Ghostwolf Gallery, “Superfunkadelic”, Albuquerque, NM
~JUNE -JULY 2023 - 80 Santa Fe Gallery “Oh the Places We’ll Go” , Overland Park, KS
~MAY -JULY 2023 - Nelson Fine Art Center, "Corazon Latino" , Johnson City, TN
-MAY 2023 - East Tennessee State University, "Corazon Latino Festival" , Johnson City, TN
-MARCH/MAY 2023, ​East Tennessee State University-Tipton Gallery, "Conditional Surroundings" , Johnson City, TN 
-FEBRUARY 2023, Union Station Kansas City, "MAYA: Indigenous and Latino Art Exhibit", Kansas City, MO
-JULY 2022, Buttomwood Gallery, "Rhythm & Revel", Kansas City, MO
-JUNE 2022, Interurban Arthouse, "The Queer Experience" Overland Park, KS
-JUNE 2022, The Studio Door, "Proud+ Art Exhibition", San Diego, California
​ 

ArTe

EARTH SEEN FROM SATURNS' RINGS, 2019

The vast and unimaginable size of space gives us an idea of how small and irrelevant we can be against the size of Saturn (our planet is the white dot).

48" x 60"
Acrylic & Mixed Media on Canvas, 2019