Fabricio Vanden Broeck: From Sketch to Sculpture and Beyond
Fabricio Vanden Broeck describes his artistic process as a dialogue between media, a continuous “round-trip” between the initial impulse of a drawing and the tangible weight of a sculpture. This creative conversation is the heart of his exhibition, “Ida y vuelta” (Round Trip), on display at the Museo de la Ciudad de Mérida.
The exhibition is a journey through Vanden Broeck’s creative process, featuring 31 sculptures alongside drawings, paintings, sketches, and a handful of photographs of his work transformed into tattoos. Some sculptures emerged spontaneously from his work with metal, while others are deliberate three-dimensional reinterpretations of his earlier graphic works.
One of the most interesting aspects of Vanden Broeck’s work is the way in which it retains its two-dimensional nature and imitates traditional illustration.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
One of the most interesting aspects of Vanden Broeck’s work is the way in which it retains its two-dimensional nature, imitating traditional illustration.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
Vanden Broeck’s “Arquero” (Archer) is expressed through the use of multiple materials.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
“Ella Uso Mí Cabeza” (2025) is based on a prior illustration by the same artist, Fabricio Vanden Broeck.Photo: Carlos Rosado van der Gracht / Yucatán Magazine
“They are interpretations of my drawings that I enjoy transforming through different materials, like metal,” the artist explains. “The exhibition proposes an austere presentation, an exercise of going back and forth, from drawing to sculpture, from sketch to object. The human body and the human condition are recurring themes within this work.”
Beyond Sculpture
“Ida y vuelta” is the result of a creative process that navigates materials like wood and metal, transforming them into works that are both of the hard, real world and of an imaginative appearance. Each piece is loaded with symbolism and a confrontational, bold aesthetic. The sculptures seem to cast shadows with a life of their own, inviting the viewer to imagine what is hidden or revealed in their contours.
Vanden Broeck’s artistic roots run deep. He is the son of André Vanden Broeck, a recognized painter of the American abstract expressionist movement with ties to the Beat culture., His own history is steeped in music, having played in an ‘80s rock band, Fe de Ratas. This musical influence surfaces directly in his work, with pieces like “Street Fighting Man,” inspired by The Rolling Stones, highlighting the intimate connection between his visual art and the musical culture that has always accompanied him.
Another standout piece, “Ella usó mi cabeza” (She Used My Head), references the Soda Stereo song (“Ella usó mi cabeza como un revólver”) and touches upon the violence experienced in Mexico, demonstrating how his art engages with contemporary social themes.
The Evolution of Art and Artist
A key aspect of Vanden Broeck’s philosophy is an embrace of transformation, both in the material and the artistic self. He notes his fascination with the natural process of oxidation on his metal pieces, enjoying how they evolve over time. This acceptance of change mirrors his advice to aspiring artists: “Don’t be led by trends. You have to work, experiment, do; it’s the only way to find who you are and your artistic production. The artist must do what they do by their own nature, regardless of whether they have the possibility to exhibit their work in different places.”
Ultimately, “Ida y vuelta” invites the viewer to immerse themselves in a process of exploration and, why not, play. While the works have titles that suggest a possible reading, Vanden Broeck insists that each viewer is free to find their own meaning in the forms, lines, and voids of his sculptures.
About Fabricio Vanden Broeck
Born in Mexico City in 1955, Fabricio Vanden Broeck works as an illustrator, designer, painter, and editor. He teaches design at the Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana and serves as illustration editor for Letras Libres. His work has appeared in prestigious international publications, including The New York Times Book Review, Libération, La Vanguardia, and El Malpensante.
His illustrations have earned numerous accolades, including second prize in UNESCO’s 1993 Noma Concours of Illustration, seven consecutive Excellence Awards from the Society for News Design for his work at Reforma, and the 2000 Utopía prize for illustrating Gabriel García Márquez’s Nobel Prize speech. His international recognition includes selection for IBBY’s Honor List, The White Ravens exhibition, and serving as Mexico’s nominee for the Hans Christian Anderson Award in 2010.
If You Go
Vanden Broeck’s “Ida y vuelta” exhibition is open to the public at Mérida’s City Museum, on calle 56, just a block from the main city market.
The Museum and its exhibits are open from Tuesday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum is free to both locals and visitors.
Senior Editor Carlos Rosado van der Gracht, PhD, is a journalist, photographer, and expedition leader. Born in Mérida, Carlos holds degrees from universities in Mexico, Canada, and Norway. Most recently, he earned a doctorate in Heritage Studies in 2026.
