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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: Friday -Sunday 11:30AM - 4PM
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,” he says via email. 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 — and opened a studio and gallery at 201 N. El Rancho Road. He creates art Mondays through Thursdays in that space, about 3 miles from Hugo Gabán, and welcomes visitors there; contact information is below.
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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Currently exhibiting at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

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. 

UPCOMING  EXHIBITIONS:

SEPTEMBER 2023- SEPTEMBER 2025,
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 
26" x 18" x 10"
Violin, brass/Copper wire, Mixed media on Antique Wooden Table

The Tuning of Gender Fluidity has been acquired by Mesilla Valley Community of Hope as part of their public permanent art collection - Funded by the art in Public Places Program New Mexico Arts 
Department of Cultural Affairs.
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.
Strata Gallery was founded in 2021 as a non-profit, artist-member gallery with a mission that cultivates artistic discussion and educates the public about the work of contemporary established and emerging artists.
~125 Lincoln Ave, Santa Fe,NM~
Juror Show

"Inner Sanctuaries: Exploring Domestic Spaces" ​

The Radiance of Gender Fluidity, 2021
The Radiance of Gender Fluidity is a composition inspired by time, which (alongside culture and art) shapes our perception of gender and how we define it. The Resplandor is a regional garment worn in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in which intricate cotton lace patterns create an amazing display. By transforming the Resplandor, the artist is suggesting that we look at the influence of time within our cultures, shaping a map of anthropological awareness.
April 23rd - May 10th
Opening Reception April 26th , 5-7PM
"Prism" is a contemporary fine art brokerage representing artists, curating fine shows & exhibitions, facilitating sales, and shipping & installing artwork.
~210 Don Gaspar Ave, Santa Fe, NM~


"Gender, Culture & Tradition" ​

Our Human Culture, 2022
A Note to Gender Fluidity,  2022
Picture
Ladxido de Muxe, 2022
June 12th - July 6th
Opening Reception, June 15th -11-3PM
​East Tennessee State University
​232 Sherrod Dr, Johnson City, TN
The Slocumb Galleries are supported by the ETSU Department of Art & Design, an advisory Gallery Committee comprised of select faculty who reviews proposals, the Slocumb Galleries Student Society (SGSS) and the Friends of the Slocumb Galleries whose membership range from volunteers and sponsors from the academic and local communities.​
"Migration: Latinx Exhibition" 
August, 2nd ~ September, 27th
​Opening Reception August 3rd 5-7PM
Lincoln Memorial University
6965 Cumberland Gap Parkway, Harrogate, TN
“The Mountain Fiesta is about strengthening our communities through the universal languages of music, dance, and food, and about seeing common threads,” said Zach Greene, event organizer. “The goal is always to maximize participation from every demographic possible while providing high-quality artistic, musical and cultural programming.”

"Mountain Fiesta" 

 September, 28th- 2024
​

Exhibiting at both locations: 
"The Path to Gender Fluidity, 2021"
A Tactile & Textiles Sculptural artwork installation measuring over 29 feet long. 

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.

$10,000
349" (29.08 ft.)  x 41"
Textiles/Fabrics, Copper lights/brass on Lonetilla , 2021
Panel N.1 Oaxaca Centra Valleys
Picture
N.2 Sierra Madre del Sur
N.3 Mixtec Mountain Range​
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.
N. 4 Juchitán de Zaragoza
N. 5 The Isthmus of Tehuantepec
N. 6 The Pacific Ocean


​About the Artist~ 


Hugo Ximello-Salido (B. 1982) is a multidisciplinary, Mexican artist whose work explores cultural identity, personal identity, communication, connection, and more. Born and raised in Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco, Mexico, Ximello-Salido’s natural creativity and passion for creating art stems from a family background full of artists. Upon moving to the United States, new inspirations emerged from initial cultural shocks, new communities, and new relationships, which prompted him to develop his own style and techniques.

Ximello-Salido’s early work was primarily inspired by the traditions and colors of Mexican folk culture. Through a fusion of folkloric symbols, old-world history, and explorations of language and contemporary social issues, the artist creates a dialogue about identity and culture that abounds with color, texture, and meaning. He continues to find inspiration in the intersection of various communities, especially the Mexican and LGBT communities, and strives to convey distinct yet universal perspectives to the viewer through his work.

Ximello-Salido practiced and lived in Kansas City for many years and built strong, ongoing relationships with local artists and institutions. While in Kansas City, his artwork was extensively exhibited in educational settings and at prominent museums (including the Nelson-Atkins and the Kansas City Museum), as well as at many libraries, galleries, art centers, and art fairs. Having recently relocated to Santa Fe, New Mexico, he finds himself inspired by its natural beauty, cultural vibrance, and renowned art scene.

Ximello-Salido’s artwork have been exhibited in galleries and at events in Mexico, across the United States (including at Agora Gallery in New York City), and in Europe, and the artist has been featured in several print articles and documentaries. 

Ximello-Salido's current project features his documentary -MUXE: The Language of Art & Culture -an artist's journey through the perception of Gender Fluidity in Oaxaca, Mexico. World Premier on Friday, June 28th, 2024 at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO, 7:00PM CT. 

Overlapping with the year long Latino/Hispanic Exhibition “A Layered Presence- Una Presencia Estratificada”  October 2023-September 2024, where Ximello-Salido's art piece inspired by gender fluidity  "The Finesse of Gender Fluidity" will be still on displayed allowing spectators a better understanding of Gender Fluidity, Art & Culture. 
​

~ 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:
-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