Mao (Mauricio) is a Costa Rican contemporary artist, who has always developed themes related to plant growth and environmental conservation. His motto:

“Let the plants grow!”

In a very interesting perspective, the artist expresses that the best way to help is by allowing plants to develop, multiply and spread. This message, repeated throughout his career, and enhanced in his recent work, has earned Mao to be listed as an “Artivist”.

His artistic career began at an early age. He participated in art competitions when he was in school and high school; and received awards for several of them. At the age of 16, he learned wood engraving at the “Central Bank Museum” of Costa Rica. Later on, he took sculpture courses, guiding him to experiment with many different materials such as stone, wood and resin.

Mao graduated from EARTH University and obtained an Agronomic Engineering degree. During these years he study carpentry, and began an attraction for wood; he also acquired knowledge of plants. Later, in 2002, he joined the art school named “Casa Del Artista”. Afterwards, obtained his postgraduate degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Costa Rica; further enriching his knowledge in design and flora. In 2008 he was selected in the Cow Parade of San José, with the cow “Monstera Deliciosa”.

In 2011, Mauricio moved to the city of Shanghai, China, where he lived for three years working as a Landscape Designer and also got his MBA. He was captivated by oriental structures and buildings; and during this time developed in his artwork the concept of what he calls “Vegetifications”: architecture that grows like plants. In addition, he acquires great influence frome Chinese art in ways such as the use of color, inks and adding details.

In 2014 he returns to Costa Rica and continued to work as a landscaper with multiple projects near the coasts. Mao visited sawmills all over the country and started to “rescue” the “ribs” (parts of the wood) from Pochote trees in order to use for engraving. He was able to explore various woodcut techniques whilst taking advantage of this wasted resource.

His artwork is always inspired by nature, and has been displayed in many exhibits. In 2019, Mao was selected to be part of the Mexican Print Biennal, organized by the José Guadalupe Posada Museum and later traveled to several museums in Mexico. A great experience that allowed Mauricio to share with great international artists specializing in fine art printing.

In 2020, he was chosen to participate in the “XIV Edition of VALOARTE”, in Costa Rica, organized by Artflow Gallery and dedicated to national artists. Later in 2021, he participated in the “V Edition of the London Art Biennale”, a contemporary art show where Mao reflected upon the international pandemic and how societies face the new reality with the piece “Growing on Murky Waters”.

In 2022, he was selected in the prestigious “Salon Nacional” by the Museo de Arte Cosarricense (which is the Costa Rican Biennale of Contemporary Art); and  also to exhibit in the “Chianciano Biennale”, Siena, Italy.

Today Mauricio is immersed in the preparation of his next individual exhibition. With the main topic being the Cataclysms; Mao develops an apocalyptic vision in order to create awareness of environmental conservation.