In 2017, Karla de Lara created one of the most significant monumental works of her artistic career: the commemorative mural celebrating the 30th anniversary of Expo Guadalajara, widely recognized as the largest indoor mural in Latin America. Conceived as a large-scale pictorial intervention, the work not only celebrates the history of the convention center but also reflects on the role of art within contemporary public spaces.
A venue that connects Mexico with the world
Opened in 1987, Expo Guadalajara has become one of the most important exhibition and convention centers in Latin America. For decades, the venue has hosted international trade fairs, industrial congresses, and cultural gatherings that have helped position Guadalajara as one of Mexico’s most dynamic economic and creative hubs.
On the occasion of its thirtieth anniversary, the institution commissioned a permanent artwork that could represent its innovative and cosmopolitan spirit. Karla de Lara was chosen for her ability to merge contemporary visual language, cultural identity, and a highly expressive aesthetic, elements that have defined her artistic practice within the landscape of contemporary Mexican art.
Monumentality and visual narrative
The mural unfolds as a vibrant composition where the symbolic imagination of surrealism meets the chromatic intensity characteristic of the artist’s contemporary pop language. Through a dynamic visual narrative, the work evokes the cultural vitality of Guadalajara and the transformative power of creativity.
Beyond its physical scale, the piece establishes a dialogue with the tradition of Mexican muralism, one of the most influential artistic movements of the twentieth century. Rather than replicating its historical codes, however, Karla de Lara proposes a contemporary reinterpretation in which color, emotion, and surrealist figuration become tools to redefine the relationship between art, architecture, and the public.
Art as collective memory
Since its unveiling, the mural has become an integral part of the venue’s visual landscape, accompanying the movement of thousands of visitors who pass through Expo Guadalajara each year. In this sense, the artwork functions as a meeting point between art and everyday experience.
