Eamon Ore-Giron’s “Talking Shit with Amaru” Bridges Ancient Myth and Modern Identity
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The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is currently exhibiting “Talking Shit with Amaru” by artist Eamon Ore-Giron,a work that resonates with both ancient depth and contemporary relevance.The painting, part of the larger “Grounded” exhibition, immediately captivates with its vibrant color palette and bold forms, creating a visual conversation that invites prolonged engagement.
A Visual Conversation with Andean Mythology
Ore-Giron’s piece depicts Amaru, a transdimensional hybrid creature from Andean mythology, and exemplifies his signature half-abstract, half-representational style. The artist has been actively engaging with the artistic legacy of the ancient Americas through his “Talking Shit” series, drawing inspiration from ancient Andean and Incan textile, architecture, mosaic, and
“I’m interested in the sense that it’s a story that I carry with me-the gods that live here and still live here,” he stated. “Being ‘grounded,’ essentially, can actually be manifested in stories and in imagery and in a rekindling of a personal relationship to these deities.”
The painting itself unfolds as a vivid constellation of shapes, colors, and opacities, gradually revealing forms – a body emerging from coordinate circles, talons framing fluid lines, and a tongue extending across the canvas. This reflects Amaru’s ability to transcend earthly and celestial boundaries, positioning him as a celestial interloper. Ore-Giron deliberately reimagines the deity, grounding Amaru not as an ancient figure, but one that resonates with the culture of modern-day Latin America.
The Interplay of History and Modernity
Ore-giron’s work explores the complex interface between ancient history and contemporary life, examining how ancient aesthetics and narratives persist and evolve. The name “Amaru,” as an example, carries different connotations today than in the past, encompassing both divine power and individual identity. The name also evokes the legacy of Túpac Amaru, a figure of resistance against colonial powers in Peru.In “Talking Shit with Amaru,” Ore-Giron’s portrayal incorporates not only the figure of the deity but also its historical weight.
“Ther are so many different ways in wich ancient history interfaces with modernity,” Ore-Giron observed, emphasizing his interest with the enduring power of ancient stories and visual languages. He notes that these deities and ideas are not static,but are constantly being reinvented.
Resistance,reinvention,and Artistic Process
This theme of reinvention and resistance is woven into every aspect of Ore-Giron’s artistic practise,from his subject matter to his choice of materials. He prefers to paint on raw linen, embracing its imperfections – even the occasional blades of grass woven into the fabric – over pristine, gessoed canvas. This physicality extends to his broader artistic identity as both a visual artist and a musician, where cross-cultural exchange and reinterpretation are central.
His time in Mexico City in the 1990s exposed him to a DJ culture that sampled and mixed Peruvian music, inspiring him to look south for artistic inspiration rather than towards the United states or Europe. Similarly, Ore-Giron synthesizes Latin American folk music like Cumbia with the production techniques of artists such as MF DOOM, influencing his approach to visual language. “I think it had a profound impact on the way that I approach visual language as well,” he said, “because it made me want to look deeper into the histories of visual language in Latin America.”
Ultimately,Ore-Giron’s canvases represent a powerful synthesis of abstraction and figuration,antiquity and modernity,creating a visual rhythm that is both strong and resonant.
“Talking Shit with Amaru” is on view at LACMA’s “Grounded” through june 21, 2026. A solo exhibition of Eamon Ore-Giron’s work will be on display at the James Cohan Gallery in Tribeca from November 7 through December 20, 2025.
