Gabriel Covarrubias

Gabriel Covarrubias is a Sydney-based visual artist and publisher, founder of Paper Waves Books, whose cross-cultural practice spans Mexico, China and Australia. Originally from Mexico City, he has lived in Australia since 2019. Much of his inspiration comes from wandering in nature, coastal walks, exploring beach rocks and roaming national parks.

After completing a Bachelor of Graphic Design in Mexico, Gabriel worked in corporate design before moving to Xi’an, China, where he spent four years earning a Master’s degree in Design and Fine Arts. There he immersed himself in Chinese calligraphy and traditional ink painting, experiences that continue to guide his sense of brushwork, light and expressive stroke.

Today Gabriel devotes himself to painting and drawing. Working primarily with acrylic on canvas and ink on paper, he often brings the maobi (Chinese calligraphy brush) onto canvas to weave feelings, stories and abstract concepts into vivid visual narratives.

As a publisher, his project Paper Waves Books has released two poetry books that interlace Nahuatl, Spanish, Mandarin Chinese and English. He curates every stage, book design, layout, translation, and painting or illustration. His first publication has been exhibited in China and Australia, and he is now shaping a new title that continues this journey of languages and landscapes, carrying stories across cultures like waves travelling from shore to shore.

Education

Studies

  • Master of Fine Arts and Design, Academy Of Fine Arts, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China (2016–2019). Award in Outstanding Graduation for Creative Production.
  • Bachelor in Graphic Design, University of Technology of Mexico (2008–2012).

Exhibitions

Selected Exhibitions

  • 2023, Book presentation: Reading Nahua poetry from the book “La Lengua de Los Pájaros” by Juan Hernandez Ramirez with Gabriel Nezahualpilli Covarrubias Hernandez.
  • 2023, Solo exhibition, IMMERSIA 2023: Illustration and Translation of Mexican Indigenous Poetry into Chinese Mandarin.
  • Acrylic and oil Paintings, Collection of works 2016–2019.
  • 2019, “Metaphors of Reality”, Jambo Gallery, Xi’an, China.
  • 2019, “Tropical Mystic”, The Vinyl House, Xi’an, China.
  • 2019, “The Origin” indigenous poetry from Mexico, Academy of Fine Arts, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi’an China.
  • Poster design Collection of works 2017–2019.
  • 2019, Street Art Exhibition “Ayahuasca Soundsystem” Yanta, Distric, Xi’an China.
  • 2018, “Silk Road International Arts Festival” Poster Design competition Xi’an, China.
  • 2018, “7th National Creative Poster Design Competition for Ocean Culture”, Shanghai, China.
  • 2017, “6th National Creative Poster Design Competition for Ocean Culture”, Shanghai, China.

Awards

Selected Awards

  • May 29, 2024 – Presentation of my book “The Songs of Birds 鸟之歌” at the XVI Biennial AILASA Conference at ANU.
  • September 21, 2023 – Presentation of my book “The Songs of Birds 鸟之歌” to the Ambassador of Mexico in Australia and Head of Political and Cultural Affairs.
  • September 15–21, 2023 – Participation in IMMERSIA Festival at ANU to display my book “The Songs of Birds 鸟之歌”.
  • July 2019 – Graduated from the Master of Arts and Design with the research project “Illustration and Translation of Mexican Indigenous Poetry to Chinese Mandarin and English”, written thesis in Chinese Mandarin. Award for Outstanding Graduate for Creative Production.
  • June 2019 – Presentation of my book “The Songs of Birds 鸟之歌” to the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences at UNESCO.
  • 2018, Xi’an, China – Excellence Award, Silk Road International Arts Festival Poster Design Competition.
  • 2018, Excellence Award in the “7th National Creative Poster Design Competition for Ocean Culture”, Shanghai, China.
  • 2017, Excellence Award in the “6th National Creative Poster Design Competition for Ocean Culture”, Shanghai, China.
  • 2015, Mexico City – Granted the China Scholarship Council Award for outstanding academic achievement, providing the opportunity to pursue a Master’s program.

Publications

Books and Published Work

  • The Songs of Birds 鸟之歌, by Gabriel Nezahualpilli Covarrubias Hernandez, Paper Waves Books Press, ISBN 978-0-646-89082-1, January 2024.
  • National University & Marine School Student, 7th Marine Culture Design Contest Outstanding Works, China Ocean University Press 中国海洋大学出版社, ISBN 978-7-5670-1987-4, July 1, 2018. Work: “Arctic Ocean”. Excellence Award, Shanghai, China.
  • National University & Marine School Student, 6th Marine Culture Design Contest Outstanding Works, China Ocean University Press 中国海洋大学出版社, ISBN 978-7-5670-1502-9, June 8, 2017. Work: “If I Were a Fish”. Excellence Award, Shanghai, China.