De Mi Tierra
by Esteban Monsalve
May 14th, 2026. Long Island City, NYC.
Esteban Monsalve is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the emotional relationship between nature, texture, space, and human experience. Through plaster, paint, and sculptural surfaces, his practice focuses on creating immersive environments that invite reflection, curiosity, and connection. Inspired by organic formations, erosion, landscapes, and the imperfect beauty of the natural world, his work blends abstraction with materiality to create pieces that feel both grounded and alive.
De Mi Tierra exhibit was a reflection on earth, memory, and transformation through texture, form, and color. Inspired by landscapes, stone, erosion, plants, and organic formations, each piece represented a different interpretation of the natural world and the emotional connection the artist has with it.
As the guests walked through the hall, they were first introduced to a series of textured works filled with earthy tones, layered surfaces, and colors. These pieces began the journey by evoking different elements of nature such soil, minerals, landscapes, movement, and emotion.
At the entrance of the main room, the doorway was framed by two large sculptural canvases that resembled monumental stones or rock formations, creating the illusion of entering a cave or natural sanctuary. The transition invited the viewer to step into a different atmosphere and state of mind.
Once inside the studio, the space became immersive and sensory. The room was covered with an abstract white botanical relief that stretches across the surfaces like a blank canvas shaped by nature and time. The monochromatic textures interacted with light and shadow throughout the evening, revealing different forms, depths, and interpretations depending on the viewer’s perspective. Soft ambient music further transformed the experience, creating a dialogue between sound, texture, light, and movement.
This installation was meant to encourage imagination, reflection, and curiosity. Through abstraction, texture, music, and the play of light, De Mi Tierra invited viewers to slow down, explore freely, and reconnect with the raw beauty and mystery of nature.
