The term Biophilia, coined by renowned biologist E.O. Wilson, defines humanity’s innate affinity for nature, emphasizing the idea that we are biologically predisposed to connect with our surroundings. This concept takes on a special significance in the Caribbean and Latin American context, where the cultural, historical, and personal stories of the artists featured in this exhibition are deeply intertwined with the landscapes that surround them. In these regions, nature is not merely a refuge to escape daily life; it is an integral part of the fabric of existence itself, shaping the perception, experience, and artistic expression of those who live in constant interaction with it.
In the BIOPHILIA exhibition, the works of Juliana Gutiérrez, Juan Tardivo, and Hope Bartley, curated by Cris, invite us to explore this profound connection and reflect on the challenges it faces today. The intimate relationship these artists share with their environment makes the consequences of climate change and environmental degradation deeply personal. Rising sea levels, deforestation, and pollution not only threaten ecosystems but also the cultural, emotional, and spiritual bonds that tie the artists to their land. The exhibition will take place at Feierwerk, Munich, from February 7 to 27, 2025, with the Vernissage on February 7 and the Finissage on February 27.

This exhibition transcends the mere visual representation of nature, becoming an open dialogue between art and the environment. It challenges us to recognize our role in preserving the planet and to value the emotional, cultural, and spiritual wealth that nature brings to our lives. In the context of the global climate crisis, BIOPHILIA is not only a reminder of the importance of our connection to the natural world but also an urgent call to action.

The exhibition space becomes a place where art and nature converge, inviting visitors to reflect on their impact on the world around them and to find inspiration in the profound interconnection between humanity and the Earth.
More information at: Biophilia – Munich 2025

What is Biophilia for you?
Biophilia describes our innate affinity for nature, the deep need to connect with the environment. In my work, I express this connection through paintings in which people appear as permeable, almost weightless figures. This depiction shows that we are not separate observers of nature, but integral parts that blend harmoniously into the landscape. The lightness of the human figures reflects how we might live in harmony with nature – gently, respectfully and in flow with the natural cycles that surround us.
HOPE BARTLEY
We have a body, we have a space, we are made of matter, even if this is not a fixed object, quite the opposite, we are in eternal change, but we maintain an internal structure that has been passed down to us since the beginning of time, an innate cellular affinity towards life forms, to appreciate and love. We stop in front of a landscape, in front of animals, other humans to contemplate life, the fascination of a similarity in the ability to survive, a bio-cellular bond with all living beings. In artistic research, I find an aesthetic vision of the nature of bodies and of what surrounds us indispensable, letting ourselves be amazed by a movement, by a color, by a landscape, by a body, which moves my primordial being to connect with what I am and what I want to tell.
JUAN TARDIVO
Water, a symbol of transformation and connection, is the guiding thread in my immersive installations, deeply inspired by my transcultural journey as a Colombian living in Europe. Through my work, I bring my roots to the surface, exploring how water—like light and darkness—unites worlds, carries stories, and returns them transformed. Using reflective surfaces and interactive projections, I create spaces where water becomes a surreal medium, distorting and merging. In this installation, water serves as a metaphor for personal transformation, embodying life, light, and shadow. It flows across boundaries, taking and giving back, connecting beginnings with the present. The viewer is invited to step into a portal where the tangible blends with the dreamlike, experiencing the fluidity of identity and the universality of change. Through this interplay of cultures and water’s infinite cycles, my work becomes a mirror of both individuality and shared existence—showing how, like in life, water may be calm or turbulent, yet it always flows through everything, adapting and transforming.
JULIANA GUTIERREZ

A Commitment to Nature
As the curator of BIOPHILIA, this exhibition transcends being a simple encounter between art and nature; it stands as a testament to our shared responsibility toward the planet. Each artwork reflects stories and emotions deeply rooted in the landscapes around us, inviting reflection on how our actions transform the natural world. This exhibition aims to inspire every visitor not only to contemplate the beauty and fragility of our environment but also to recognize their individual capacity to create change. BIOPHILIA is both a tribute to the inherent connection between humanity and nature and an urgent call to protect the delicate balance that defines our existence.”
