“For his thoughtful academic skill and imagination for expressing ideas, worries and dreams, in a context of liberty that he himself creates,” the rector of the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM), Jorge Olvera García, recognized visual artist Rodrigo de la Sierra with an honorary doctorate.
The ceremony took place in the Adolfo López Mateos Hall where Olvera García said, “The university embraces new art forms, that are dynamic and bold, and recognizes Rodrigo de la Sierra as a great artist, destined to be remembered among the finest creative minds.”
Former State of Mexico Gov. César Camacho Quiroz attended the event, as did local representative Laura Barrera Fortoul and Gabriel O’Shea Cuevas of the National Commission for Social Health Protection.
De la Sierra’s most celebrated work, “Timoteo” was created in 2008 and reflects on the absurdity of society through sarcasm.
De la Sierra said that only with determination and passion was he able to become a “humble sculptor” and the creator of Timoteo, who was born as a sketch in a notebook and today describes the reality of Mexico and portrays different points of view within that reality.
De la Sierra was born in Mexico City and his family and friends attended the ceremony. He has presented his work in more than 40 exhibitions around the world and thanked Olvera García for the award, which the called the greatest recognition of his life.
He said that Timoteo is an observer of the world and he invited young artists to follow their inspirations and let go of their prejudices, “because art is about instincts, emotions and passions, that can be communicated through non-verbal language.”
