Raúl de Nieves’ sculpture “MIRROR/MIC/KNIFE” (2018) is a powerful expression of his distinctive style, where traditional Mexican craft, queer culture, and spirituality converge in physical form. The piece is covered in beads, sequins, and textiles - each detail contributing to a narrative of transformation. The sculpture gained international attention when it was featured in the fashion editorial “Sparkles Fly” in American Vogue (April 2018), where it appeared alongside haute couture, clearly demonstrating the role of art in shaping contemporary ideas of identity, beauty, and belonging.
Raúl de Nieves, born in 1983 in Michoacán, Mexico and based in New York, works across sculpture, painting, performance, and music. His art is inspired by Mexican craft traditions and religious processions. “MIRROR/MIC/KNIFE” pulses with color, ornamentation, and symbolism, while also conveying something deeply human and vulnerable - an expression of resistance, memory, and transformation.
De Nieves has exhibited at institutions such as the Whitney Museum of American Art, MoMA PS1, ICA Boston, and the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami. His works are part of the permanent collections at the Whitney, ICA Boston, and MOCA Los Angeles. Through his practice, he brings a distinct voice to contemporary art, focusing on the fluidity of identity and the transformation of the body. “MIRROR/MIC/KNIFE” is a work that bridges the boundaries between art, fashion, and cultural history.

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