Paintings and photos hang on the walls. Their vibrancy and contrast in color catch the crowds’ eyes. The pictures have an almost ominous aura around them: seemingly incomprehensible yet so. “In the Heart of the Beholder”, the first exhibition presented by RoFa Projects, features new edgy artwork. The paintings shown transform centuries old techniques from the Renaissance Age to modern paintings.
Spanish painter Salustiano’s simplistic yet beautifully naturalistic renderings of characters in vivid contrasting red is a perfect example of using Renaissance-inspired techniques in modern times. The almost fluorescent red used in his drawings derives from centuries old techniques of crushing cochineal beetles. This practice stems from European Colonialism in which cochineal beetles were brought from conquered territories in Central America to Europe.
Mexican artist Fabian Ugalde edits notable paintings from the Renaissance age and tweaks them to give a contemporary feel. By using computer editing, he extracts parts of the painting to then recompose it into a geometrical pattern that emphasizes symmetry, proportion, and rhythm. From a distance, his artwork looks blurry but when zoomed in it reveals the eerily dissected picture.
Walterio Iraheta, another artist showcased at the RoFa Gallery, updates old well-known art pieces to be relevant today. In her latest work she edited “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” by replacing the original characters with more recognizable figurines from McDonald’s Happy Meal. The toys showcased are from El Salvador shops that sell secondhand US goods; an indirect criticism of US influence in El Salvador.
RoFa Project exhibitions features many recognizable artistic pieces and techniques. However, it also presents these historic and antique artistry in a new light. A light that allows for modern artists to encompass deeper meaning into their art.
Links:
http://www.rofaprojects.com/fabian-ugalde
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/07/29/art-gallery-shows-dc-area/
Spanish painter Salustiano’s simplistic yet beautifully naturalistic renderings of characters in vivid contrasting red is a perfect example of using Renaissance-inspired techniques in modern times. The almost fluorescent red used in his drawings derives from centuries old techniques of crushing cochineal beetles. This practice stems from European Colonialism in which cochineal beetles were brought from conquered territories in Central America to Europe.
Mexican artist Fabian Ugalde edits notable paintings from the Renaissance age and tweaks them to give a contemporary feel. By using computer editing, he extracts parts of the painting to then recompose it into a geometrical pattern that emphasizes symmetry, proportion, and rhythm. From a distance, his artwork looks blurry but when zoomed in it reveals the eerily dissected picture.
Walterio Iraheta, another artist showcased at the RoFa Gallery, updates old well-known art pieces to be relevant today. In her latest work she edited “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” by replacing the original characters with more recognizable figurines from McDonald’s Happy Meal. The toys showcased are from El Salvador shops that sell secondhand US goods; an indirect criticism of US influence in El Salvador.
RoFa Project exhibitions features many recognizable artistic pieces and techniques. However, it also presents these historic and antique artistry in a new light. A light that allows for modern artists to encompass deeper meaning into their art.
Links:
http://www.rofaprojects.com/fabian-ugalde
https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2022/07/29/art-gallery-shows-dc-area/