Interview with Quintín Pérez
Winner of The Global Art League 2025

Mexican artist Quintín Pérez, recently awarded the top prize at The Global Art League 2025, shares with us his artistic journey, creative processes, and the path that led him to Montreal, where he continues to develop his work today.

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Early Beginnings and Artistic Training

Quintín discovered his interest in art at a very young age. Drawing quickly became his natural form of expression and a refuge from the subjects he enjoyed less. His talent earned him a scholarship to study at the National School of Painting, Sculpture and Printmaking “La Esmeralda” in Mexico City, where he acquired the technical foundation that would shape his artistic path.

His first major project came at age 21, when he painted a mural in the library of his former school. Since then, muralism has remained a central pillar of his work.

Migration and New Experiences

Although he had not planned to emigrate, circumstances led him first to the United States and later to Canada. In Florida, he worked in agriculture and construction—experiences that enriched his artistic vision. During this time he also wrote and published poetry, painted his first works abroad, and created several book covers for Latin American writers.

His ability to tell stories through color earned him important commissions, including an invitation from a school in Florida to paint a mural without competing for it. Over the years, his mural work expanded across both the United States and Mexico.

A muralist who has completed several projects in Mexico and the United States.

The Creative Process

For Quintín, the most important stage of any artwork is the composition. Before painting, he researches, designs, and develops multiple sketches. “The intense part is when I wrestle with my ideas to decide which ones will prevail,” he explains. Color, contrast, and chromatic theory are key elements in his paintings, and he always seeks to create an immediate visual impact on the viewer.

He identifies strongly with the Mexican muralist tradition, influenced by Rivera, Orozco, and Siqueiros, and he maintains the idea that art must convey a social, historical, or aesthetic message accessible to the public.

Arrival in Montreal and Participation in The Global Art League

Two years ago, he arrived in Montreal without knowing the city. While exploring online, he discovered the Montreal Art Center & Museum and began following its calls for artists. During a particularly difficult winter, while working at a cheese factory in Saint-Guy, he was deeply moved by a live interpretation of Billy Joel’s Piano Man. From that moment of inspiration came his work El Hombre del Piano, an homage to Mexican composer Agustín Lara, portrayed in three stages of his life.

It was this painting that he ultimately submitted to The Global Art League. Although he did not expect to win, he was selected as a finalist and later awarded first prize among many highly accomplished artists.

“I paint out of necessity, not to sell. Each piece is a moment of my life captured in time,” he says.

Future Plans

After receiving the award, Quintín plans to continue developing his artistic projects between Mexico and Canada. His immediate next step will be presenting his solo exhibition at the Montreal Art Center & Museum—an event that marks a new chapter in both his artistic career and his personal journey.