born in Guadalajara, Mexico, lives and works in Frankfurt, Germany
contact: mail@roberto-barbosa.com
His practice revolves around the creation of portals-scenarios assembled from miniatures and architectural models, which he uses as theatrical stages for short video performances in which he incorporates his own body. These fictional worlds operate as spaces of resistance that question social norms and imagine other queer possibilities. The body, as the central axis of his work, also runs through his drawing and photography series, where the body is presented as an extension of nature and a way to explore self-representation.
Education
2019Städelschule – Hochschule für Bildende Künste, Frankfurt, DE
2015Universidad de Guadalajara. BArch, Guadalajara, MX
2014Universidad de Málaga. Exchange programme, Málaga, ES
Residencies
2025Error, Mexico City, Mexico
Virreina, Loma Serena, Oicatá, Colombia
2024The New York Art Residency and Studios (NARS) Foundation, Brooklyn, New York, US
Casa RARO, Barcelona, Spain
2023Heima Residency, Seyðisfjörður, Iceland
Solo and Duo Exhibitions
2026No title yet, Third Born, Mexico City, MX (upcoming)
Underground, 3AP Gallery, Frankfurt, DE (upcoming)
2025Bajo esos escombros, está la ciudad donde edifiqué mi casa, duo show with Anaís Tudón, curated by Marco Valtierra, Museo Raúl Anguiano, Guadalajara, MX
2024Portals, La Boutique Retroactive, Brooklyn, New York, US
Lilis, rretiemble, Tabacalera, Mexico City, MX
Subtle Bodies, Rogue Car Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, US
2022On Entering – Bodies in queer spaces, duo show with Felix Anatol Findeiß, curated by Aileen Treusch, Kellerkreuzberg, Berlin, DE
Selected Group Exhibitions
2026Todas las promesas de mi amor se irán contigo, Espacio Cabeza, Guadalajara, MX
Relatio, Art Vilnius, LT
Ich, Art Düsseldorf, DE
Letras, curated by Fi Isidore, Naaldwijkstraat 45, Amsterdam, NL
Estar con quien se ama para pensar en otra cosa, Centro de la Imagen, Mexico City, MX
45050/97000, En lo que, Mérida, MX
Lyrics, curated by Oficina de la Señora Barbara Esperanza, Barba Azul Cabaret, Mexico City, MX
Este mundo nos queda pequeño, curated by Sindicato de Miniaturistas, Eugenia, Mexico City, MX
2025Amorce – Paper, Index, Trace, Third Born, Mexico City, MX
Blütenlese, Paper Positions, Vienna, AT
Estatuas de Sal, curated by Alberto Ríos de la Rosa, Espacio Cultural Bellas Hartas, Mexico City, MX
Bouquet, 3AP Gallery, Düsseldorf, DE
2024Weaving Collective Narrative, BRIC, Brooklyn, New York, US
Bodiless Body, NARS Main Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, US
2023Wohnung Lauxtermann, 3AP Gallery, Düsseldorf, DE
2022On my spare time, MVRDV, Rotterdam, NL
Overgrown – opera of the nervous system, 3AP Gallery, Düsseldorf, DE
2021prêt-à-parler, online, curated by Aileen Treusch
2020Sorry, I need more space, curated by Valentina Knežević, online
2019Architecture Class, Deutsches Architekturmuseum (DAM), Frankfurt, DE
1 Square Mile City, Lichthalle Städelschule, Frankfurt, DE
Screenings and Performances
2025Nepantlera, Esto Es Para Esto, Exhibidora de Cine, Monterrey, MX
2024Nepantlera, Flat Earth Film Festival, Herðubíó Cinema, Seyðisfjörður, IS
Nepantlera, Summershau, BASIS, Frankfurt, DE
Nepantlera, Orchid Queer Film Festival, Rosarito, Baja California, MX
Nepantlera, Festival de Arte y Cine Contrasexual, Mexico City, MX
2023Nepantlera, Herðubíó Cinema, Seyðisfjörður, IS
Queering the map, Sláturhúsið, Egilsstaðir, IS
Festival of Feelings, Temporary Gallery, Centre for Contemporary Art, Cologne, DE
2020Ein Abend im Opencreek Hotel, Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt, DE
Grants and Awards
20261st Place Prize, Tom of Finland Emerging Artist Competition, Multiple Figure Category
2025Seminario de Producción Fotográfica (SPF), Centro de la Imagen, Mexico City, MX
Parajes, Visionario de Artistas Emergentes, Ayuntamiento de Guadalajara, Museo Raúl Anguiano, Guadalajara, MX
Plataforma de Imágenes Contemporáneas (PICS), Centro de la Imagen, Ciudad de México, México
Latitudes: Clínica de proyectos fotográficos, Centro de la Imagen, Mexico City, MX
2024Culture Moves Europe Grant, Goethe-Institut
2019German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
Architectural Experience
2021–2022MVRDV, Rotterdam, NL
2018–2021Wenzel + Wenzel, Frankfurt, DE
2017–2018COBE, Copenhagen, DK
Press and Publications
2024In vielen Ländern fürchten queere Menschen um ihr Leben, Journal Frankfurt — journal-frankfurt.de
Sie wollen Macht gewinnen, indem sie uns unterdrücken, Rainbow Stories — rainbowstories.online
2022Porous Masculinities, Queering the Future, Body Fluids and Anal Community, by Felix Kosok, texts by João Florêncino and Ben Miller — studio069.com/on-entering