May 1 - June 12, 2021
From Davis Gallery:
“The work in this exhibition explores the idea that we’re moving towards an unknown new world at a very fast pace. Human culture and life is constantly changing, but at this time in history, change has accelerated. We’re experiencing a variety of challenges that may make the path ahead formidable.
The title of the show, “Nuevo Mundo”, means “new world” in Spanish. “Nuevo Mundo” is how the Spanish Crown and the conquistadors referred to the American continent when it was discovered and explored. It was an exciting new world. A world populated with unknown peoples, animals and plants as well as untold treasures and dangers.
In our own time, we feel we have entered our own “new world”. In 2020 a pandemic seemed to suddenly land us in a strange place. Our friends and family became a source of risk. Much of our work and social life became virtual. We grew isolated and anxious about our health.
As we begin to see signs of hope with the development of vaccines, we still live in uncertainty as to how things will evolve. The pandemic has accelerated certain existing trends towards work- from- home, online education and shopping, and telemedicine. Adding to the challenges brought by the pandemic, many other factors such as climate change, political and racial discord that undermine political institutions, as well as the rapid development of new technologies prove that we’re in times of great change. We’re in transition to a “new world” which is fraught with discord, but also hope that after all the turmoil we’ll eventually come through to better times.
It is within this context that the drawings in the series “Nuevo Mundo,” as well as some of the paintings were done. The imaginary landscapes explore ideas of change and movement. They anticipate the “new world” we’re heading towards.
My work typically involves creating models with found objects and all sorts of materials (fabric, cardboard, paper, etc.). I use these models as a source for my paintings and drawings. It is an intuitive process in which I allow the materials to tell their story. In the case of the series of drawings “Nuevo Mundo,” I allowed small details from the models to “jump into” the drawing as collage elements. So I included small pieces of plastic from grocery packaging and aluminum from cans for example, as references to the increasing degradation of the environment.
The “Animal” series of drawings was done before the pandemic. I used woven scarves as models. I allowed them to dictate the compositions. I found the ambiguity of the forms very interesting- the fact that they can suggest both topographical forms and living, breathing creatures at the same time.
Model building is a very important part of my work process. As I build the models, new ideas occur and new meanings and stories emerge. Different materials provide new possibilities. Building the models is a way of thinking, a way of drawing with objects.”
Opening: May 1, 2021 | 4–7 pm
837 W. 12th Street
Austin, 78701 TX
(512) 477-4929
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