Mexican artist Raul Ugalde Leon poses with his wife Park Tae-sang and Janice Heo, founder and director of Art & Adventure gallery in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, July 7. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Raul Ugalde Leon is a Mexican painter, silversmith, scuba diving instructor and chef who has lived in Korea for over eight years. Starting this week, the multitalented artist is having his first Korea solo exhibition, titled “Recreation in the far east,” at Art & Adventure, a gallery in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. The exhibition opens Tuesday with an opening reception at 6 p.m. and runs until July 16.

For this exhibition, he showcases 22 of his artworks depicting the Caribbean Sea and other maritime settings around Mexico, as well as landscapes from around Korea.

Moving to Korea in 2018, Leon now runs Que Rico, a Mexican restaurant in Pyeongtaek near U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys.

He said that, although he has had several different jobs, he has never stopped working as an artist. For that matter, anyone who visits the restaurant for the first time would realize that it's also an artist's studio with various artworks and working space. His studio at the restaurant is only open on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Mexican artist Raul Ugalde Leon poses at his studio in Que Rico Mexican restaurant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, July 7. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

A painting of the sea by Mexican artist Raul Ugalde Leon / Courtesy of Art & Adventure

In his artist's statement, he describes cooking as a divine voyage. "To heed the inner calling of youth, each of us must forge our unique path. For me, it began with Mexico — an origin that parallels my dedication to Mexican cuisine," he said. "Cooking tacos and tortas becomes a metaphorical voyage akin to sailing toward a diving adventure. During moments of respite, I delve into pigments and materials, exploring the depths of art, and striving to uncover new reefs of artistic creation.”

During an interview on Sunday, he told The Korea Times, “The calling for an artist normally is when you are young."

After 25 years as a scuba diving instructor in the waters off Cozumel Island in the Caribbean Sea and the Yucatán Peninsula in southeastern Mexico, he depicted the sea in his vivid paintings, probably to keep his memorable passion for diving. His colorful artworks featuring sunset views and various sea-changing images over time show a deep affection for the sea, which has been both his workplace and the subject of his art for decades. He can also paint Korean landscapes, continuing his passion on the other side of the planet from his homeland.

A painting of Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul by Mexican artist Raul Ugalde Leon / Courtesy of Art & Adventure

He explained that his decades of work in the Caribbean Sea included working as a diving instructor, commercial diving, coral reef rescue missions and a year spent on videography documentation under the water.

In describing his life in Korea, he said that painting has been the most serious part of his life here in the last three or four years, along with a love for cooking.

But he has been unable to continue his passion for jewelry design, despite majoring in silverwork at the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico. He said that opening a silversmith laboratory in Korea isn't easy. Instead, he started painting during the pandemic.

Janice Heo, founder and director of Art & Adventure, strives to make an international art community by hosting various art events and gallery tours around Pyeongtaek and Seoul. She told The Korea Times that conversations with Leon, who is always full of new ideas, give her joy.

The poster for Raul Egalde Leon's solo exhibition, titled "Recreation in the far east," at Art & Adventure in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, from July 9 to 16. Courtesy of Art & Adventure

“He makes paint materials of various colors by himself with minerals collected from the soil, cuts wood by himself and tells me stories about his new work," she said. "Explore the vibrant world of artist Raúl, Born in Mexico, who is not only a talented jewelry designer but also a passionate painter ... Raul's art reflects his deep-seated love for both the Caribbean Sea of his homeland and the picturesque landscapes he encounters in Korea. Join us at his latest exhibition where you'll immerse yourself in stunning paintings capturing the essence of summer seas and the ever-changing skies. Discover how Raul's art continues to flourish, bridging cultures and capturing moments in vibrant colors and textures.”

Art & Adventure gallery is open Tuesdays to Saturdays, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. For further information follow @jnc015 on Instagram or join the Art&Adventure Facebook group.

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also the co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.