ART IS BOND. takes immense pleasure in unveiling a heartfelt and evocative solo exhibition, Cielo Azul / Cielo Nublado, an enchanting visual journey by Mexican American photo documentarian, Troy Ezequiel Montes. This collection has matured over years with an innate grace, emerging as a nostalgic ode to the notion of motherland and an artist’s unwavering pursuit of authenticity. The premiere of Cielo Azul / Cielo Nublado, set for Friday, November 17th, 2023, transcends the confines of a conventional exhibition, as it extends an intimate invitation for guests to further immerse themselves in Montes’ labor of love by attending the accompanying artist talk.
Cielo Azul / Cielo Nublado is a poignant memoir, a heartfelt narrative that intertwines the threads of Montes’ annual pilgrimages to his ancestral pueblito, El Porvenir, in Zacatecas, México.
Working and living in a dichotomy between two homelands, Montes’ photographs weave a delicate tapestry that bridges the physical and spiritual chasm that separates him from his familial roots, offering a tender glimpse into the lives of loved ones he cherishes during the brief weeks they're reunited each year. In Cielo Azul / Cielo Nublado, Montes delves into the profound, almost poetic concept of eternal homecoming, exploring the complex dance of identity, love, and longing.
Montes' vivid chronicle of El Porvenir, poetically translating to "What Is To Come," constitutes a seminal chapter in his artistic odyssey. A profound act of introspection, his portrayal of family and home metamorphoses into a form of self-portraiture and self-curation, a beguiling dance of identity and destiny. Cielo Azul / Cielo Nublado waters Troy Ezequiel Montes’ roots, affirming that comprehending one's origins is the compass that guides us toward our destiny.
