Misael Vaarma\u2019s artistic ventures began like a lot of people\u2019s: a new hobby born during the COVID lockdowns.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to do something about my life that was meaningful,\u201d he recalls of those uncertain days. \u00a0<\/p>\n
At the time, Vaarma and his husband were living in Montreal, a place where Vaarma admits he was not at his healthiest. That all changed when he began to acquire plants (at one point numbering in the hundreds) and arranging them. At the same time, Vaarma was becoming increasingly fascinated with creating visual art, with both his floral arranging and painting feeding into a newfound passion for life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Now, Vaarma is pursuing that passion for the fullest in Winnipeg with his new gallery space, El Rosa Mexicano. The gallery, which just opened on Albert Street this month, combines both the flowers and the painting in a kaleidoscopic display of colours and smells that mirror Vaarma\u2019s passion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s Deepak Chopra that says that universe is a fireworks show to celebrate existence,\u201d says Vaarma. \u201cI\u2019m trying to make my arrangements or floral sculptures a fireworks show to celebrate life.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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Rooted in cultural representation\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vaarma came to Canada via Mexico through the United States. Although he has moved around a lot, he still maintains the connection to his culture through his memories, which he sees in vibrant colours that he channels into his art.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI shine all of this energy from all these different things that come from my country,\u201d Vaarma smiles, referencing everything from Dia di los Muertos parties from when he was a kid to rich musical and colour traditions from Mexico.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As he celebrates his own culture, Vaarma has also been growing to reflect the communities that he finds himself in in his art. \u201cI really like to meet people \u2013 who they are, where they come from,\u201d he smiles, citing friends that have influenced him who come from places like South Africa, the United Kingdom, Macedonia and Lebanon, among others.<\/p>\n
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A warm Winnipeg welcome\u00a0<\/p>\n
As Vaarma has gotten himself and his artistry settled in the Exchange District, he has made a conscious effort to embrace the community around him. \u201cI think the biggest part of an artist is to be present,\u201d he shares, \u201cand the first day, I was starting being present by saying hi to my neighbours.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Those neighbours have slowly made El Rosa Mexicano into a part of the community, visiting the space just to sit and bask in the artistry. Those neighbours have also taken care to uplift the space and include it in events like First Fridays, presented by the Exchange District Biz monthly for Winnipeg\u2019s artgoing community. \u00a0<\/p>\n
These interactions have already made the move to Winnipeg feel like a worthwhile one for Vaarma. \u201cWinnipeg has already influenced my work,\u201d he smiles, showing off an arrangement he just made. \u201cYou can see the difference in the type of art that I do because now, the flowers scream \u2018I am alive!\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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