Embassy of México in United Kingdom

Ambassador Josefa González-Blanco Ortíz-Mena inaugurated

"THE POWER OF IDENTITY. INTERSECTIONS OF QUEER ART AND SOCIAL JUSTICE”

• Artworks from more than 20 participants from various countries were presented.
• The Embassy of Mexico celebrates diversity and is a safe space for everyone.

LONDON, United Kingdom, June 15, 2022.- In the presence of more than one hundred and sixty guests and twenty emerging artists, the Ambassador of Mexico to the United Kingdom, Josefa González-Blanco Ortíz-Mena, opened the first exhibition of queer art, "The Power of Identity. Intersections of Queer Art and Social Justice". In her welcoming remarks, she called on the Mexican-British binational community to take advantage of the power of art to transform, break boundaries, find intersections, and continue working together with the Embassy of Mexico to promote cultural dialogue between Mexico and the UK.

In this way and within the framework of the LGBTQ+ pride month celebrations, the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom opens its doors to the LGBTQ+ community and joins their cause through art. This is part of a permanent effort to reinforce the Mexican agenda of inclusion and protection of the rights of LGBTQ+ people and celebrate the diversity, rights, and freedoms of all people.

This exhibition explores the artistic manifestations of the LGBTQ+ community on issues related to resistance and the struggle to obtain rights. ‘The Power of Identity’ pays tribute to the wealth of queer creativity in Mexico, the United Kingdom and the world.

In the heart of Belgravia, the Mexican Embassy's 'Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz' cultural pop-up, named after the renowned Mexican poet, will be the setting for this exhibition this June 2022. This space will serve as a meeting point and creative platform for our communities. In addition, various cultural activities will be carried out to strengthen the presence and cultural connectivity between Mexico and the United Kingdom.

The call for artists was launched on social media in April and May 2022.

 

-ooOOoo-

Details

Last Updated: 16 June 2022

 

Camaradas: Mexico - United Kingdom Art Contest 2021

After the success of its seven previous editions, the Embassy of Mexico is pleased to present "Camaradas: Mexico - United Kingdom Art Contest", an opportunity for Mexican and British-based artists to work as a team and learn from each other, as well as discovering coincidences between both countries.

The selected works will be showcased in The Koppel Project Exchange from 28 July- 1 August 2021 allowing a wide projection and promotion.

 

 

Guidelines and Stages of the competition

1st Stage: Entering the competition

• One Mexican* and one British-based artist must become Camaradas and form a partnership. Each partnership must submit a proposal (400-1000 words) of a piece by each artist, or a joint proposal. The art piece must engage in a dialogue on a subject or idea of their choosing.
• Works can range across painting, photography, video, sculpture, performance, or any other visual art form. (Example: A partnership chooses the subject of “time” and presents a proposal in which the Mexican artist will make a sculpture on the subject, whilst the British artist will do a painting on it.)
• Each partnership must fill in a registration form and submit a selection from their portfolio of work. Click here to download the registration form.
• The proposal, registration form, and portfolio must be sent via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• The closing date for submissions was the 18th of June 2021. Deadline Extension 25th of June 2021
• By submitting your proposal, the Embassy of Mexico assume you accept the terms and conditions.

* Preferably residing in the UK.

2nd Stage: The first elimination round

• The best partnership proposals will be notified on the 2nd of July 2021 if they made it through to the next round.
• The selected Camaradas must create/complete the art piece and email an image of the completed artwork to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. before the 16th of July 2021.
• The selected Camaradas must present their work on the 27th of July 2021 in The Koppel Project Exchange for installation. Artists should be available to assist the Curator in setting up the exhibition.

 

3rd Stage: The final elimination round and the glory

• The selected artworks will be included in the “Camaradas MX -UK Selected Works Exhibition” at The Koppel Project Exchange from 28 July- 1 August, 2021. Artists must be available to support attention to visitors during the days the exhibition remains open to the public.
• A panel of judges comprised by leading figures in the art world will select the winning Camaradas which will be announced on the Private View on 29th of July, 2021. Artists should be available to assist the Curator in dismantling the exhibition.

Terms & Conditions

 

1. This competition is open for British artists and Mexican artists preferably residing in the UK. *Upon request, non-British nationals residing in the UK can also participate.

 

2. The information detailing how to enter this competition are part of the terms and conditions. All rules must be accepted as final and the contestant must agree to abide by these rules. By submitting an entry the contestant agrees to these terms and conditions.

 

3. All entries should be submitted no later than on the 25th of June 2021 at 11:59pm London time (GMT + 0).

 

4. Artworks submitted to compete in the contest must be an original creation of the individuals presenting them and must not have been published elsewhere or have won any prize in any other competition.

 

5. The entries must not be otherwise be obscene, defamatory or in breach of any applicable legislation or regulations.

 

6. All contestants must register for this competition by entering their name, mailing address, telephone number, email, and agreeing to the terms and conditions.

 

7. The winners will be chosen by a panel of judges appointed by the Embassy of Mexico who reserves the right to add or substitute any of the given members of the panel without previous notification.

 

8. By submitting their portfolio and artworks, the contestants declare that they own all rights over said portfolio or piece. By entering this competition, all contestants consent to the use of their name, artwork and portfolio in any merchandise, advertisements, educational materials, or publicity carried out or produced by the Embassy of Mexico as well as to be published on the Embassy’s website, social media and newsletter without further notice or compensation. The Embassy of Mexico can publish or decline to publish, or use or decline to use, any submitted artwork at its sole discretion. In turn, the contestant will still retain property rights as well as rights to use and publish their artwork.

 

9. The contestants must cover any related transportation costs for their work and for themselves. The Embassy of Mexico will not be responsible for any damage and/or loss of the art pieces throughout the entire duration of the competition.

 

10. The Embassy of Mexico’s rulings are final and without appeal in all matters related to this competition and the awarding prizes.

 

11. The Embassy of Mexico assumes no responsibility for any lost, stolen, delayed or damaged artworks. Neither for illegible, incomplete, garbled or misdirected entries. The Embassy will not accept responsibility for entries submitted through illicit means or for those not received on time due to technical malfunctions of the telephone network, computer systems, servers, access providers, equipment, and software, internet’s traffic congestion, or any combination of the aforementioned.

 

12. The Embassy is not liable for any injury suffered as a result of the installation or de-installation of the exhibition. By entering this competition, the contestants agree to release and hold harmless to The Embassy of Mexico and its employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, successors, assigns, from liability for personal injuries, death or property damage.

 

13. The personal data collected from contestants by the Mexican Embassy will not be used for any other purposes to those mentioned in these T&C, with the exception of information on similar activities and open calls which might be relevant, unless explicit permission is granted for other extraordinary and unforeseen circumstances as indicated on the entry form. The Embassy of Mexico compiles such information with the purpose of registration, evaluation, and to keep contestants updated on the competition.

 

14. The Embassy of Mexico keeps its right to modify, cancel or suspend this competition without notice upon external circumstances which are beyond the reasonable control of the Embassy.

 

15. The Embassy of Mexico is not responsible for any errors or omissions in printing or advertising this competition.

 

16. Contestants must comply with these rules and will be deemed to have received and understood the rules if they participate.

 

17. For further information please send a note to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details

Last Updated: 18 June 2021

 

 

In the framework of the Learning Disability Week 2021, the Embassy of Mexico in the United Kingdom invites you to the presentation of the COVID-response comics: “A Day in Lockdown” and “Community Matters: Please Be Kind”. A collaboration between Mexican artist Francisco de la Mora and Dr. Ernesto Priego, with the participation of Hugh Huddy. Tuesday 15th JUNE, 5 PM London time. Facebook Live @Embamexru 

 

Details

Last Updated: 03 June 2021

 

¿De qué Estado de la República eres originaria(o), qué estudiaste y a qué te dedicas?

Originaria de Ciudad Obregón Sonora. Lic. En Comercio Internacional con especialidad en Agronegocios ITESM 1999. MSc Food Quality Management, University of Salford. Soy Consejera de Comercio Exterior en el Department for International Trade, Especialista en Negocios con Latinoamérica en el Noroeste de Inglaterra.

¿Cómo fue que llegaste a este país y cómo te imaginaste qué iba a ser tu experiencia?

Llegue a estudiar mi maestría en el 2001 a Manchester. Mi experiencia no la imagine, simplemente me voy con la corriente. Ha sido difícil, pero a la vez satisfactorio el adaptarme y haberme convertido en la persona que soy aprovechando las oportunidades profesionales que este país me ofrece.

¿Cómo te incorporaste al NHS (o a la institución en donde trabajas)?

Yo me incorpore al Department for International Trade en el 2018. Previo a eso trabaje para el British Chamber of Commerce en el Noroeste de la región de Lancashire y cuento con una carrera en comercio exterior desde 1999.

¿Qué obstáculos tuviste que sortear para poder ejercer en este país?

La verdad en el 2001 mi futuro profesional pintaba muy bien en Mexico con propuestas en puestos executivos de alto nivel, pero decidí era momento de obtener más conocimientos y decidí venir a Reino Unido para hacer mis estudios de posgrado. En el proceso conocí a mi exesposo con quien formé una familia y me establecí permanentemente en el país. La verdad profesionalmente tuve que empezar de cero, pero como buena Mexicana no descansé hasta subir y conseguir mis objetivos laborales. Tomó tiempo, ya que como extranjera, una tiene una que probar su credibilidad y capacidades continuamente y sin bajar la guardia.

¿Cómo ha sido tu experiencia profesional durante la pandemia de COVID-19?

Regularmente en mi área de trabajo operamos desde casa, aún antes de la pandemia. La diferencia ahora es que ni ocasionalmente podemos visitar las oficinas y todas mis reuniones de negocios con empresarios en Lancashire, Cumbria, Cheshire y Merseyside tienen que ser por medio de plataformas en línea. Pero agradezco que he podido trabajar sin interrupciones.

El único punto que vale la pena mencionar es que al trabajar para el gobierno Británico, al inicio de la pandemia nuestros roles sufrieron cambios dramáticos ya que en lugar de enfocarnos a promover el comercio exterior se nos requirió servir como asesores a empresas en la emergencia económica, aconsejando y dando guía de cómo obtener apoyos del gobierno.

Al ver la destrucción que el virus dejo a su paso decidí tomar parte como voluntaria para una de las vacunas de COVID llamada Novavax. EL NHS hizo un llamado en el programa de Good Morning Britain. Pedían más voluntarios de minorías étnicas. Me inscribí y en realidad fui afortunada, ya que de una lista de 300 mil voluntarios me escogieron como parte de un grupo seleccionado de 10 mil.  No me arrepiento, pese a una serie de efectos secundarios pasajeros, si con esto podemos garantizar el retorno a nuestras actividades normales y una menor pérdida de vidas. Se me ha juzgado continuamente por mi decisión y mi simple respuesta es, si no lo hago yo quien. Es para el bien de todos.

¿Qué mensaje le darías a las y los mexicanos que radican en el Reino Unido?

Les pido que se cuiden que ya se ve luz al final del túnel, pero hay que seguir consejos de los mandatarios durante el confinamiento.

No puedo predicar sobre vacunas, pero puedo decir que es la manera más viable para salir de esta situación tan precaria, que de continuar, terminará causando problemas físicos, mentales y económicos de los cuales será mucho más difícil encontrar manera de superar si no se empieza a volver a la normalidad. La vacuna que recibí hace ya casi un mes solo me dio efectos secundarios dos días, por lo que los médicos me han indicado es prueba clara de que no se me suministró un Placebo.

 

 

Details

Last Updated: 20 January 2021