Many Latin American artists have been reforming classical art and implementing modernity and their own personal beliefs of beauty, identity and culture. For example, Walterio Iraheta takes paintings such as Rembrandt’s “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” and replaces the original grave figures with characters from McDonald’s. The figurines are either photographed or painted and are based on toys available in a store in El Salvador selling second-hand U.S goods, showing the powerful American influence on Iraheta’s hometown.
Another artist who reshapes Old Master paintings is Fabian Ugalde. The Mexican artist gives the classical paintings a computerized twist. By digitally modifying famous images such as Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” they are recognizable from a distance, yet eerie and haunting upon closer inspection. This is because his subject is made up of many identical images clumped together. For example, the lady’s nose is made up of a collection of uniform images of her nose.
Similar to Ugalde’s works, Cecilia Paredes’s self-portraits are photographed cleverly. Currently, Paredes splits her time between Philedaphlia and her native Peru. She disappears nearly entirely into her decorative background by covering her body with matching motifs. In the ornamental patterns, there are butterflies, flowers, and sea creatures, all of which contribute to the picture’s theme: An individual will both fit into yet maintain their distinction from their environment.
Clearly, these artists have reworked renaissance paintings, implementing their personal beliefs and adding their own vivid hues to already wonderful art. Famous French visual artist Henry Matisse said, “Creativity takes courage.” Indeed, it does. Artists like Iraheta, Ugalde, and Paredes show overflowing amounts of it as they project their cultures and ideas as far as they can be heard. They, and others following, will continue to do so, whether or not those listening wish to hear.
Another artist who reshapes Old Master paintings is Fabian Ugalde. The Mexican artist gives the classical paintings a computerized twist. By digitally modifying famous images such as Vermeer’s “Girl With a Pearl Earring,” they are recognizable from a distance, yet eerie and haunting upon closer inspection. This is because his subject is made up of many identical images clumped together. For example, the lady’s nose is made up of a collection of uniform images of her nose.
Similar to Ugalde’s works, Cecilia Paredes’s self-portraits are photographed cleverly. Currently, Paredes splits her time between Philedaphlia and her native Peru. She disappears nearly entirely into her decorative background by covering her body with matching motifs. In the ornamental patterns, there are butterflies, flowers, and sea creatures, all of which contribute to the picture’s theme: An individual will both fit into yet maintain their distinction from their environment.
Clearly, these artists have reworked renaissance paintings, implementing their personal beliefs and adding their own vivid hues to already wonderful art. Famous French visual artist Henry Matisse said, “Creativity takes courage.” Indeed, it does. Artists like Iraheta, Ugalde, and Paredes show overflowing amounts of it as they project their cultures and ideas as far as they can be heard. They, and others following, will continue to do so, whether or not those listening wish to hear.
