Casa Wabi, a residency programme in a remote coastal region of Oaxaca, Mexico, expanded in September, with the opening of an exhibition space in Mexico City. This will focus on the work of young artists based in the Mexican capital, but the opening show features some of the work produced at the residency over the past two years.
Casa Wabi was founded in 2014 by the Mexican-born, New York-based artist Bosco Sodi. He hired the Japanese architect Tadeo Ando to design a building with living and studio space that could accommodate up to six artists at a time and offer a community programme for local people. Initially residencies in the poor but spectacular Oaxaca region were offered to established artists such as Xavier Veilhan and Richard Wentworth. Now artists of all levels are encouraged to apply via open calls. One has been organised by ArtReview magazine and another through Soma, Mexico City’s art school. In October, Casa Wabi is due to begin its first collaboration with Casa Na-No in Tokyo, giving Mexican artists a chance to work in Japan.
Casa Wabi’s curator, Alberto Rios de la Rosa, says the aim “is to create a platform for artists to produce in the environment, away from the fast-paced contemporary art world” as well as “create dialogues on a personal, social and cultural level” between the artists and the community. Casa Wabi Foundation receives funding from Mexico’s ministry of culture and the state of Oaxaca, and sponsorship from Deutsche Bank.
