Galerie Sturm & Schober

The title of the work, „Forget Me Not,“ refers to the plant Myosotis, commonly known as the forget-me-not. This plant symbolizes farewells, whether temporary or permanent, including those associated with death. Kevin Simón Mancera was particularly inspired by the images of wild animals appearing in quiet streets and waters during the pandemic. This was a magical moment for him, helping him understand how absorbed we are as a species with ourselves. We encountered death in various ways and discussed extensively our own salvation and how we might return to our „normal“ lives. However, this does not help us understand that other species will not have a second chance. They are disappearing one by one from our planet. This project aims to speak about the fragility of life, much like the forget-me-not plant, which was given as a symbol of love to a departing loved one whose return was uncertain. The primary inspiration for the selection of the painted animals was the IUCN Red List, which has become the most comprehensive source of information worldwide on the conservation status of species of animals, fungi, and plants. The IUCN Red List is a crucial indicator of the state of global biodiversity. It is more than just a list of species and their statuses; it is a powerful tool for information and a catalyst for conservation action. Additionally, it highlights political changes crucial for the protection of natural resources necessary for our survival. The list provides information on distribution, population size, habitat and ecology, use and/or trade, threats, and conservation measures, serving as a basis for necessary conservation decisions. It is constantly evolving; some species are no longer endangered, while others remain at risk.

EDUCATION
 2007
 Maestro en Bellas Artes / Universidad Jorge Tadeo Lozano, Bogotá SELECTED SOLO SHOWS 
 2023 Sin tu Luz vivo triste / Galería Nueveochenta, Bogotá, Colombia
 2021 Desde una misma especie / Galería Nueveochenta, Bogotá, Colombia
 En el fin del mundo / Galería Nueveochenta, Bogotá, Colombia
 2019 Venationes Ferarum / Galería Nueveochenta, Bogotá, Colombia
 2016 Yo no soy de aquí / I am not from here / MILK. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2015 Una imagen mi propia daga/ Ein bild mein eigener dolch / Galerie Michael Sturm, Stuttgart, Germany
 SELECTED DUO SHOWS
 2023 ARCO – Contemporary Art Fair in Madrid / Galeria Nueveochenta, Madrid, Spain
Art on Paper – fair for modern and contemporary art on paper / Galerie Sturm & Schober, Amsterdam, The Netherlands SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
 2022 Pirateria Sentimental, El Apartamento, Bogotá
 2021 Equipe 2 – 30-year anniversary / Galerie Maurits van de Laar / The Hague, The Netherlands
VIX Estórias Capixabas / MAES – Museu de Arte do Espírito

Galerie Sturm & Schober successfully opened its premises on Kohlmarkt in Vienna in March 2019. The founding couple Gabriele Schober and Michael Sturm both have many years of experience in gallery work. Gabriele Schober ran bäckerstraße4 – Plattform für junge Kunst in Vienna until 2018 and Michael Sturm has been represented in Stuttgart with his Galerie Michael Sturm since 1996. The Stuttgart and Vienna galleries have worked very closely together since the beginning and see themselves as partners in terms of positioning and representing their artists.