Fairmont Mayakoba Unveils ‘Past, Present and Paradise’ Art Installation for 20th Anniversary

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Fairmont Mayakoba has unveiled an immersive art installation titled “Past, Present and Paradise” as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations. The luxury resort, nestled between the tropical mangroves of the Riviera Maya and the turquoise waters of the Mexican Caribbean, will host the exhibition for five months starting in February.

The installation brings together established and emerging artists from the Riviera Maya region for what resort officials describe as a vibrant exploration of culture, creativity, and expression. Designed to highlight the dynamic creativity of Quintana Roo, the exhibition merges traditional influences with contemporary expressions, capturing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Mexican Caribbean.

Guests will have the opportunity to rediscover the resort through transformed spaces that become settings for reflection, wonder, and connection. The initiative reinforces Fairmont Mayakoba’s commitment to supporting local artists while positioning the resort within the global art scene.

Featured Artists

• Paulina Flores — Known for her elegant and immersive works, Flores captures the essence of the Caribbean through texture, light, and deep connection to the region. Her pieces, displayed at the Brisas restaurant in the Maykan beach club and Hix Bar & Lobby Lounge, blend Mediterranean and Caribbean influences. She recently exhibited her work at the Mexican Embassy in Tokyo as part of the “Windows of Mexico” exhibition.
• Kiki — Inspired by the bold palettes of Fauvism and emotional depth of Expressionism, Kiki is a prominent Riviera Maya artist with a strong ability to create unique pieces in various formats. Her works, exhibited in the lobby and La Laguna restaurant, reflect both traditional motifs and experimental contemporary forms. Trained at the National School of Fine Arts in Mexico City, she has collaborated with museums worldwide.
• Sandra Serrano — Integrates historical research, ancestral techniques, and contemporary painting practices. She primarily uses Mayan methods combined with materials like coconut, sand, and other natural elements from the region. She has exhibited in Playa del Carmen museums and recently at the Cancun Maya Museum, where her work connects heritage and modernity.
• Gabriela Márquez — Originally from Mexico City and classically trained at the Taller San Lorenzo, Márquez draws inspiration from the sand, sea, jungle, and wildlife of the Mexican Caribbean. Her synergy between abstract and natural elements explores inner peace through nature’s simplicity, transforming spaces into intimate landscapes filled with soul and meaning. She has participated in collective exhibitions in Cancun and Mexico City, and received the Selection Award at the 2018 Mexican Biodiversity Biennial for her work raising awareness about biodiversity loss, sustainability, and conservation through visual arts.

“Fairmont Mayakoba is intrinsically intertwined with the captivating culture and natural beauty of the Riviera Maya,” said Jacco van Teeffelen, General Manager of Fairmont Mayakoba. “The ‘Past, Present and Paradise’ exhibition honors our Mayan legacy while projecting a future guided by a deeper, more intentional connection with the region. As curators of local culture in the Riviera Maya, we feel privileged to offer talented local artists a platform to present their distinctive and provocative works, while bringing our guests closer to authentically Mexican experiences and celebrating the resort’s 20th anniversary.”

The exhibition will be complemented by exclusive programming, including hands-on workshops led by the artists and immersive experiences that invite guests to interact directly with the Riviera Maya’s vibrant creative community. This installation marks the first of several cultural initiatives planned by the resort.