Max Leiva's fertile imagination travels from Guatemala to deliver an imposing body of work. His perceptions, concepts, and memories germinate in the material, maturing into an unmistakable artistic voice deeply rooted in his being. One can suspect that the profusion of influences stems from his upbringing within the cultural sphere of racial and cultural blending, and his travels around the world, which have exposed him to the characteristics of other people, as well as the similarities and differences between the diverse realities of humankind. The artist's restless and inquisitive nature is reflected in the dynamism of his figures, in the movement we sense even in still postures. His work conveys the constant exploration of someone captivated by the human figure and its expressive possibilities, as well as themes related to its very essence and its behavior in society. Personal experiences will definitely be contributing elements to his work.                                                              

 

For Max, who represented Guatemalan cycling in two Olympic Games, art and sport are influential factors in people's intellectual and spiritual growth.  We see in the search for the physical and athletic limits of his characters, the iron discipline of the sportsman and his inclination for movement. The experience of creating, the simple act of unleashing one's imagination and producing the desired result are fundamental, with observation, curiosity and persistence being key in the process; an original idea plays a crucial role, but he recognizes that patience and effort are essential for everything. He oversees the construction of each piece and supervises the subsequent processes until completion. Then it will allow the viewer to apply their own perspective and find a particular meaning in the piece.                                                                                                                

 

Max's evolution into a master of the visual arts was not immediate; rather, it was a gradual development of circumstances that led him to define his true vocation. His journey has not followed a predictable pattern, but this very fact has allowed him to develop fully. One could say that his training has followed the renaissance path, placing the human being at the center and promoting inquiry, critical thinking and experimentation. The young man who liked to take apart and reconstruct objects that seemed interesting to him, was unknowingly beginning the path of the artist, the creator who understands his work but knows that he can always learn.                                  

 

With a career spanning three decades, encompassing works of all sizes, from small to large format, Max Leiva, draftsman, painter, sculptor, guide, and universal citizen, has used bronze, resin, iron, and aluminum to offer us an artistic spectacle of undeniable energy. We can easily imagine his characters immersed in timeless situations, defying time and circumstance, with the gallantry of a player on a pre-Hispanic ball court or the dignity of an observer witnessing life unfold before them. These are not local figures; Max has transformed them into inhabitants of the world who challenge our perception. His work has received global recognition and it is located in public spaces, as well as in numerous private collections.