Exploring space, identity, and what it means to feel safe at home.
What does it mean to have a roof over your head? Beyond the literal protection from the elements, it’s a deeply human need — to feel safe, rooted, and at peace in our own space. Artist William Gaber dives into this essential question in his latest solo exhibition, A Roof Over My Head, opening this Thursday, February 27 at 8 PM at Lux Perpetua Art Centre in Mérida’s leafy Itzimná neighborhood.
In an exclusive conversation on Stephanie Carmon’s MID City Radio Show, William shared the fascinating ideas behind this body of work. “I’ve always been curious about space — not just physical space, but how people live, where they live, how they decorate their homes. It tells you so much about who they are,” he said.
This curiosity has been with Gaber his whole life, and it’s taken on new dimensions as he contemplates the instability many people experience when it comes to housing — whether it’s due to financial hardship, emotional unrest, or jobs that don’t allow you to stay in one place. “When you feel unsafe in your living situation, it affects you on every level — psychologically, emotionally, spiritually,” he explained.
These reflections come to life through 35 works, including large-scale abstract paintings and monumental sculptures. Gaber’s time in Japan, where he spent months contemplating themes of abandonment, transformation, and the fragility of shelter, informs much of the show’s tone and visual language.
One of the most talked-about installations is “The Firefly Neighborhood,” an immersive sculpture shaped like a towering tree filled with miniature “homes.” Each one holds a secret waiting to be discovered. Outside the gallery, visitors will also encounter three giant pájaro toh sculptures, celebrating Yucatán’s iconic, elusive bird — often a symbol of presence and absence in Mayan mythology.
Gaber’s geometric forms, emotive use of color, and public art sensibility continue to define his voice as both artist and observer. A Roof Over My Head is not just an art exhibition — it’s a poetic, sometimes haunting meditation on what it means to belong, and how the spaces we inhabit shape our very sense of self.
Opening Night:
Thursday, February 27 at 8:00 PM
Gallery Hours:
Mon–Fri: 10 AM–2 PM & 3–7 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–2 PM
Exhibition runs until April 12
Follow:
📍 @luxperpetua_art
🎨 @williamgaber
