Karim Lopez

Year of birth: 1982.
Where do you live: Miami, USA.
Your education: MA Architecture, Graphic Designing.
Describe your art in three words: Evocative, symbolic, immersive.
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Karim, your work often focuses on the human figure and the spaces where your characters unfold. How do you choose which emotions or stories to depict through your figures?

For me, the human figure is a vessel for emotion and storytelling. I often draw from personal experiences, memories, or moments of vulnerability that resonate deeply with me. I think about the spaces my characters inhabit as an extension of their emotions—whether it’s a confined, intimate setting that evokes introspection or a vast, open space that suggests longing or freedom. Sometimes a gesture or even the absence of a figure can tell a more powerful story than words. I let the composition guide me, allowing the figures to emerge organically.

Your use of color is striking, especially the dramatic contrasts. How do you decide on your color palettes for each piece, and what role does color play in conveying the message or emotion of your work?

I believe color is one of the most instinctive yet intentional aspects of my work. I use it to heighten emotion, create tension, or establish a particular mood. I often start with a feeling rather than a strict palette. From there, I experiment with contrasts, sometimes pushing colors beyond realism to intensify the story within the piece. The interplay between light and shadow also plays a crucial role, allowing me to create depth and drama. In many ways, color is like a language in my work—it speaks before the figures do, setting the tone and guiding the viewer’s experience.

Karim Lopez | Arcanas – Nine of Swords

Your first solo exhibition, “Arcanas: Afro-Caribbean and Feminine Transfiguration of the Tarot,” reflects deep cultural and symbolic references. How did this theme emerge, and what does it mean to you personally?

The theme for Arcanas emerged from my deep connection to Afro-Caribbean culture and spirituality, as well as my fascination with tarot as a symbolic language. I wanted to reinterpret the archetypes through a feminine and diasporic lens, blending ancestral narratives with contemporary identity. For me, it was both an artistic and personal journey—exploring how these symbols have shaped our understanding of power, intuition, and transformation. By reimagining the tarot through an Afro-Caribbean perspective, I aimed to honor the resilience and mysticism of the culture while also challenging traditional depictions of these archetypes. In some ways also recognizing some female figures of my own life: my grandmother, cousins, former partners…

How do your personal experiences and dreams influence your creative process? Are there any specific memories or dreams that have led to the creation of some of your pieces?

My personal experiences and dreams are at the core of my creative process. I often find that my subconscious does a lot of the work before I even pick up the pencil. Some pieces come directly from vivid dreams—images or emotions that linger long after I wake up. Other times, memories resurface in unexpected ways, blending with imagined elements to form a visual narrative.

One piece that stands out was inspired by a childhood memory of watching my sisters perform a simple yet almost ritualistic act of braiding their hair. That moment, intimate and meditative, later found its way into a composition where hair became a symbol of strength and connection. Similarly, I’ve had dreams where colors and figures appear fully formed, and I feel compelled to bring them to life. My work often becomes a bridge between waking life and the unseen world of emotions, memory, and dream logic.

Karim Lopez | Reinbou

Your art features a lot of metaphor and symbolism. How do you see the role of symbolism in your work, and how do you want viewers to interpret these elements?

Symbolism is essential to my work—it allows me to layer meaning and invite viewers into a deeper, more intuitive experience. I often use recurring symbols, like water to represent transformation, or hands as a conduit for energy, creation, or restraint. These elements emerge organically, shaped by cultural references, personal history, and emotion.

I have never believed in dictating a single interpretation. Instead, I want viewers to engage with the imagery through their own lens, bringing their experiences and mythos into the conversation. Some might recognize cultural or literary references, while others may connect with the work on a purely visceral level. I love when people find meaning in details I hadn’t consciously placed—it reinforces the idea that art is a dialogue, not a monologue.

You have been part of several international exhibitions and art fairs. How has your experience exhibiting your work in different countries influenced the evolution of your style?

Exhibiting internationally has been a transformative experience for my work. Each place brings a new cultural lens, different ways of engaging with art, and unexpected conversations that challenge how I see my own pieces. Seeing my work in different contexts has made me more aware of the universal themes that resonate across cultures, as well as the nuances that shift depending on the audience.

For example, in one exhibition, I noticed how viewers in Latin America connected deeply with the spiritual and ancestral themes in my work, while in Europe, the emphasis was more on the technical and symbolic aspects. These interactions have pushed me to refine my visual language—balancing personal storytelling with a broader, more fluid narrative that invites multiple interpretations. Over time, my style has become more layered, drawing from these cross-cultural exchanges while staying rooted in my own identity.

Karim Lopez | Arcanas – The Fool

What is your approach to blending architecture with your artwork? How does your architectural background shape the way you design the composition or structure of your pieces?

Architecture has deeply influenced the way I approach composition, space, and structure in my artwork. I see each piece as a kind of constructed environment—whether it’s an actual architectural setting or an abstract, emotional space. My training taught me to think about balance, rhythm, and proportion, which naturally translates into the way I arrange figures, light, and negative space within my compositions.

I also love playing with perspective, depth, and spatial tension. Sometimes, the spaces in my work feel grounded in reality, while other times, they become dreamlike or symbolic, almost like psychological landscapes. Architecture has given me a strong foundation for designing these visual narratives, ensuring that every element has a purpose and contributes to the overall feeling of the piece.