An exhibition by Miguel Valverde
Entry into a world between ritual and spectacle
From Pain to Ecstasy is an impressive exhibition by Mexican artist Miguel Valverde that transports visitors into the pulsating heart of Arena México.
With his works, Valverde invites viewers to immerse themselves in the colorful, passionate, and symbolic world of Lucha Libre Mexicana—Mexican wrestling. Emotions, movement, and cultural identity merge in a powerful artistic homage to one of Mexico's most vibrant phenomena.
Lucha Libre: Between Masks and Myth
The origins of Mexican Lucha Libre date back to 1863. At that time, Enrique Ugartechea, considered the first Mexican wrestler, developed his own style from Greco-Roman martial arts.
Since then, Lucha Libre has become not just a sport, but a cultural heritage, a social mirror and a spectacular ritual that is passed down from generation to generation.
Masks are the central symbol of this sport: They give the fighters an identity, an alter ego, a story. In the arena, "técnicos" (the heroes) face "rudos" (the villains) – an ancient tale of good versus evil, told through jumps, holds, and body art.
Particularly electrifying are fights in which mask is pitted against mask or even against one's own hair – a defeat in these duels means the symbolic loss of identity.
Since the 1950s, legends like El Santo, Blue Demon, and El Cavernario have thrilled millions. In the 1990s, the spectrum of performances expanded to include light shows, music, and elaborate stage designs—Lucha Libre became a total show.
Arena México: The sacred temple of the ring
The Arena México and the historic Arena Coliseo in Mexico City are more than just venues: they are cultural sanctuaries where the drama of Lucha Libre becomes reality.
These arenas are considered cathedrals of Mexican wrestling – places where legends are born, where the audience suffers, cheers and marvels together.
From here, Mexican Lucha Libre has spread around the world: Mexican wrestlers enjoy international success in Japan, the USA, Europe and Latin America – and are considered symbols of Mexican pop culture worldwide.
This cultural spectacle has inspired not only sports fans, but also filmmakers, musicians, authors, and artists. Lucha Libre is a work of art—drawn with the body.
Miguel Valverde: artist, storyteller, cultural figure
Miguel Valverde was born in Ciudad Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua (Mexico) in 1980. He studied fine arts at the Instituto de Bellas Artes of the Autonomous University of Chihuahua and became one of the most prominent Mexican artists of his generation.
His works have been shown in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the USA and Mexico – both in solo exhibitions and as part of international group exhibitions.
A central element of his work is mural painting, complemented by a deep interest in sculpture, public space and collective memory.
Outstanding works
His most important works include:
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“Seeds of the Cosmos” – Mural for the Día de los Muertos Festival at the Weltmuseum Wien (2017)
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“A dos de tres caídas, sin límite de tiempo” – mural in the Arena México (2013), for the 80th anniversary of Lucha Libre
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Various murals for the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua and other cultural institutions
El Arte de Luchar – A tribute to Mexican culture
Parallel to the main exhibition, the collective exhibition “El Arte de Luchar: A Celebration of Mexican Culture” will be presented at the Austrian Latin American Institute.
In this diverse exhibition, artists approach the subject of Lucha Libre from different creative perspectives – from fashion and graphic design to object art, photography and painting.
Each work invites visitors to discover the symbolic and cultural depth of Mexican wrestling. The exhibition demonstrates how deeply this sporting and stage phenomenon has shaped Mexican identity, creativity, and aesthetics—to this day.
Visitors are invited to embark on a visual journey that goes far beyond the ring: “El Arte de Luchar” is a celebration of the passion, tradition and artistic expression that defines Mexico in all its facets.
Awards & Cultural Commitment
Valverde was awarded the Rotary International Cuauhtémoc Award for Professional Excellence (2019). He has also received multiple scholarships from the David Alfaro Siqueiros Fellowship Program, including "Young Artist," "Career Artist," and for projects promoting cultural heritage.
In addition to his artistic work, he is also active as a cultural manager and is committed to promoting art in Chihuahua and beyond.
Present and future
Miguel Valverde is currently realizing projects in:
Mexico City
The Chihuahua-Texas border region (El Paso, Marfa, Presidio, Ojinaga, Ciudad Juárez)
Vienna, Austria
With his work, Valverde builds bridges between tradition and contemporary art, between local expression and global discourse – and creates spaces in which identity, history and emotions become visible .
Public sculpture projects
In his sculptural work, Valverde experiments with resin, metal, ceramics, and other materials. Of particular note is the sculpture trail in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, featuring large-scale works such as Bajo Sexto (2020), Acordeón (2020), Clave de Sol (2019), and Música Estelar (2018).
Cinta de Oro and Miguel Valverde
José Jorge Arriaga Rodríguez – Cinta de Oro
José Jorge Arriaga Rodríguez (born 1977 in El Paso, Texas) is an American professional wrestler of Mexican descent. He became known worldwide under the ring name Sin Cara in WWE, where he was a masked luchador and part of the tag team The Lucha Dragons, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship.
Before his WWE career, Arriaga performed under names such as Místico, Incógnito, and Hunico in Mexico and the USA. Today, he performs as Cinta de Oro—in reference to the lucha legend of the same name, whose legacy he continues with family permission.
Away from the ring, Arriaga is a trained undertaker and dedicated family man.
As part of the exhibition, Cinta de Oro will personally present his book “El Verdadero Campeonato” on May 16 at 8:00 p.m.
A unique opportunity to experience one of the most charismatic luchadores of our time up close!
The exhibition is being created in collaboration with Miguel Valverde, the Filmcasino and our partner, the Austrian Latin American Institute.