"Art is the ability to see the extraordinary in the everyday, to transform ideas and emotions into expressions that connect with the soul."
Statement
Anyone who engages with art—whether by purchasing a piece or simply taking the time to observe it—essentially possesses the “spirit of collecting.”
This philosophy will guide the treatment of all visitors to this website, operating under that premise and with that understanding.I hope you enjoy my work, that we can establish a connection, even if only virtual, and share our visions about art—how it intertwines with our lives and helps us reshape reality.
So, welcome, dear “collector”.
About me
My name is Javier Máximo Castelli. I was born in 1967 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the city where I currently reside.
Father of Jerónimo and Rosario.
I am the second of four children of Mario Castelli and Celia Ruiz. My father was a renowned pharmacist with significant political involvement in his profession and a passionate defender of his ideas and principles. My mother was an extraordinary woman with a deep love for literature and music.
Although I spent the last 26 years of my professional life working within multinational corporations—where my artistic side remained hidden—I have always been deeply interested in the visual arts. This passion gave birth to máximo ruiz, my alter ego and a tribute to “Don Máximo,” my maternal grandfather, from whom I undoubtedly inherited my interest in art.
Driven by the need to give new meaning to my life and align more closely with my personal interests, I embarked on this adventure of sharing my way of seeing the world through my art. In recent years, I have taken several courses in both analog and digital photography, training that has undoubtedly enhanced my creative process.
I believe that every photograph I capture freezes a unique and unrepeatable moment in history. Inspired by this concept of uniqueness, I create collections of exclusive and original artworks, each piece being one of a kind with no serial reproductions.
To broaden the reach of my message and connect with collectors who may be new to the art world, I also developed a series of “serial prints.” These are limited-edition prints, produced to the same high-quality standards as my collections but presented in smaller, unframed formats. This makes them more accessible—not only economically but also in terms of logistics and handling.
Each person who owns one of my pieces knows they hold something exceptional. Letting go of my artworks feels like parting with a piece of myself. However, if I succeed in evoking in the collector an emotion similar to the one that inspired me to create the work, then the goal is fulfilled, and the separation becomes worthwhile.
Collections
WAVES
(2024)
Moving water, in any of its forms, and particularly the sea, has always exerted a hypnotic attraction on me. I can spend hours admiring the waves breaking on a rock. The combination of this eternal movement and the sound it generates transmits a feeling of calm and peace that is hard to find in any other natural environment. This very particular state creates in me the right conditions to reflect on the most varied topics being able to go from everyday issues to transcendental questions such as the meaning of my life. Through this collection I seek not only to offer a tribute and gratitude to the element that generates these stimulating sensations, but also to be a trigger for the observers and try to replicate in them some of these deep emotions that crossed me at the time of the capture of these images. I hope you enjoy this collection, even if it's only a part of what I was able to enjoy when making it.
All works are produced according to the highest standards of Giclée Fine Art prints, on acid-free papers and inks. All with museum quality. Each work delivered is signed, numbered and comes with a certicate of authenticity, to guarantee its originality and value as a unique piece in the case of works belonging to the “Collections”, and to guarantee the authenticity and correspondence with the printed series in the case of “Serial prints”.
Auctions
In this section, collectors will be able to make private offers for works that are listed as sold (i.e. no longer in the possession of máximo ruiz), and we will forward these offers to the current owners of the works (provided we have the relevant contact information). Sometimes we may also, with prior authorization from the parties, share the contact information of both parties (buyer and seller) so that they may eventually reach a private agreement.
Serial prints
#01 – MOVEMENT
under construction...
FAQ
If you can't find the answer you're looking for here, don't hesitate to contact us. We will be happy to assist you.
What payment methods can I use to make my purchases?
Mercado Pago for purchases within Argentina.
Payoneer for purchases from outside Argentina.
What is the shipping cost?
The shipping cost will depend on whether the collector has purchased a “collection” work or a
“serial print”, as both have very different packaging and logistics systems.
Taking this first division into account, the next thing to consider will be the place of residence or geographic location designed for the delivery of the work acquired by the collector. Before making the purchase transaction, we will contact the interested collector to define delivery details and quote the corresponding shipping cost.
Do you ship internationally?
Generally, yes, depending on whether there are legal or logistical obstacles in the destination country that may prevent the commercial transaction from being completed.
It is important to contact us before and during the purchasing process to avoid any inconveniences and ensure the experience is as pleasant as possible.
How long will my purchase take to arrive?
Delivery times will be agreed upon with the collector at the time of purchase or when a query is made regarding a particular case. The delivery time will depend on the artwork purchased (whether it is a piece from a “collection” or a “serial print”) and the geographical location defined for its delivery.
What should I do if the artwork does not arrive in good condition?
As a first step, photographically document the issue, if possible, before unpacking the artwork.
Then, contact máximo ruiz through official channels, where we will provide assistance and
guide you through the steps to resolve the problem.
How are taxes and customs duties calculated?
Artworks are sold with local VAT included, but not any other taxes. The local tax will be
calculated at checkout, and applicable customs fees will be collected at the border.
If you purchase an artwork internationally, you will be responsible for paying customs fees and
will be marked as the importer of record. You may be asked to provide personal information
such as your SSN, EIN, IRN, TIN, or EORI (depending on the destination country). The shipping
company will contact you directly to obtain the necessary information and collect the fee.
Please review your country’s customs information or contact a local carrier for more details. We
at máximo ruiz cannot predict customs fees, as they are collected at the border.
For U.S. import questions, you can refer to the Customs & Border Protection website here.
For U.K. import questions, you can refer to the U.K. Government website here.
For E.U. import questions, you can refer to the European Commission website here.
For Hong Kong import questions, you can refer to the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department website here.
For other destination countries, please refer to your local country’s customs website for more details.