Isabel Parra: 8 – Between Symbiosis and Extinction

EVENT DESCRIPTION

8 – Between Symbiosis and Extinction is a form of cycles, union, and fraternity. The exhibition turns its gaze toward the essence of existence, reminding us that humans are merely one species among many, suspended between symbiosis and extinction. This reflection extends beyond environmental issues and the grave challenges our planet faces, including the thousands of species on the brink of disappearance. It unfolds across philosophical, sociological, and political dimensions, questioning where humanity positions itself in relation to its own survival, and to its capacity for solidarity and empathy toward others.

Rooted in an exploration of the natural, social, economic, and cultural relationships that shape human life, the artist’s practice approaches society as an interconnected system. Influenced by living in Asia, and particularly by Hong Kong’s dense, vertical, and cosmopolitan landscape, the works reflect a city where tradition and modernity collide, and where philosophical legacies coexist with capitalism, inequality, over- population, and environmental strain.

Through abstraction, layered surfaces, symbolic forms, and recurring motifs such as circles, fish, numbers, and fragments of text, 8 traces cycles of life, transformation, and coexistence, inviting reflection on responsibility, interdependence, and what it means to be human today.

ABOUT THE ARTIST / ORGANISER

Isabel Parra is a formally trained Colombian-French visual artist. Born in Medellín, Colombia, she completed a bachelor’s degree in visual arts and a master’s degree in education focused on art. She later pursued a master’s degree in Culture and Chinese Society. Residing in Hong Kong for many years, she balances her time between art and teaching, two passions that inspire her creative journey. Parra’s recent artwork emphasizes the intricate symbiosis between humanity and the environment, addressing the threats to species in danger of extinction due to human actions. Using painting as her primary medium, Parra also incorporates printmaking, photography, sculptural objects, and public interventions. She views art as an essential tool for raising awareness about the pressing need for environmental stewardship and social balance. Her exhibitions have reached audiences in Hong Kong, Colombia, Italy, Korea, Switzerland, and the USA.