What do the walls whisper?

Vivid murals of Mexican artists

18 Mar 2025
Photo: Instagram / Farid Rueda

Streets. Building facades. How many stories do they hold? And when adorned with the vibrant murals of renowned Mexican artists like Farid Rueda, Seher One, and Saner, they transform into portals to another world – a world of Aztec mythology, the untamed jungles of Central America, and the rich folklore of Mexico, where alebrijes (fantastical spirit animals) come to life in bursts of color.

Farid Rueda

«Culture is who we are and what we contribute to it every day».

Born into a large and close-knit Mexican family where traditions were deeply revered, Farid Rueda grew up immersed in the cultural richness of his homeland. From the vibrant energy of local festivals to age-old myths and legends, his surroundings nurtured a passion for storytelling through visual expression.

Rueda’s art draws inspiration from Mexico’s great muralists, Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo, whose work seamlessly wove together social critique and national identity. 

However, what makes his murals truly distinctive is their focus on animals - a recurring theme that embodies strength, resilience, and spirituality, deeply rooted in Mexico’s cultural and mythological heritage.

For instance, the jaguar, a revered figure in Mayan tradition, frequently appears in his murals as a guardian and symbol of power. Meanwhile, monarch butterflies, another recurring motif, represent metamorphosis and migration - powerful metaphors for both nature and human movement.

During his studies, Rueda explored various artistic mediums and techniques, but it was street art that truly became his element. He realized that murals could do more than beautify a space – they have the power to transform environments, creating a sense of identity, storytelling, and community among those who experience them.

Seher One

Like other murals that give Mexican streets their distinctive vibrancy, Seher One’s works hold significant graphic and even historical value.

David Piñón, better known by his artistic pseudonym Seher One, is a muralist from Mexico City. He began painting graffiti at the age of 15 and later graduated from the Faculty of Art and Design at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). What started as a passion soon evolved into a remarkable career as a monumental artist and graphic designer.

In his works, Piñón deconstructs objects, breaking them down into their core elements. Geometric forms intertwine with intricate imagery, ranging from animals like the fox to deities of the pre-Hispanic era.

Beyond Mexico City, Seher One’s murals have also found a place in Denver, USA, and Zaragoza, Spain, bringing his distinctive style to an international audience.

Saner 

Another Mexican muralist, Edgar Flores, is widely recognized under his artistic pseudonym Saner. Blending illustration, expressionism, primitivism, and surrealism with street art techniques, he gives his works a distinct urban identity.

Flores’ masked characters, which appear on walls, canvases, and paper, are deeply rooted in Mexican folklore. His art transports demons and legendary heroes into the present, infusing them with a sense of mystery and dark humor. According to Mesoamerican mythology, these masked figures, known as nahual's, possess the ability to transform humans into animals.

Rather than concealing anything, Saner aims to remind us that harmony in life is possible. His art serves as a visual reflection of Mexico’s complex cultural history, particularly the profound transformation that occurred after the arrival of European colonizers. His work highlights the duality of Mexican identity, emphasizing how its rich traditions now exist as a fusion of two worlds. Aware of these historical intersections, Saner’s murals act as a call to action, urging viewers to change their lives.

Encouraging people to look back at history and learn from it, his art also raises questions about Mexico’s political system. His pieces are a celebration of the country’s cultural heritage, honoring the stories and traditions that shaped him.

Saner’s work has been showcased in prestigious galleries around the world, from Mexico City to Berlin, London, and Barcelona. Inspired by mass pop art, he masterfully blends graffiti, graphic design, painting, and illustration.

18 Mar 2025
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