By Margaret Failoni
Santiago Corral: Temporal
Landscape art has always been a favorite by collectors both in Mexico and the United States, and it’s no secret that the art created by Santiago Corral has been a forerunner in this medium. The general concept of realism in landscape art, of which Corral is a master, has been to exquisitely reproduce onto the canvas the landscape in a true and perfect vision before him. However, the paintings in this exhibition appear to be a product of totally different times and emotional states. The politics of perception and reaction brought about by the pandemic have sharpened a sense of isolation. This sharp dichotomy and poetic enigma allude to a tendency of romanticism. We are familiar with most of Corral’s phases, his superb portraiture and the wonderful “genre” painting exhibited in his Museo de la Ciudad de Querétaro exhibition. But perhaps his landscape art is the most frequently collected, with most of the works in private and public collections in Mexico and the United States. Therefore, we cannot help but applaud this new and very romantic interpretation of nature’s bounty.
Corral lives and works in San Miguel de Allende with frequent visits to Europe and Valle d Bravo where he practices his favorite sport, hand gliding.
On a final thought, be it the hyper realistic approach versus the romantic imagery, painted straightforward or seen from above, the art of Corral continues to amaze and enrich the viewer. In the smaller of the two exhibition spaces, the artist’s exquisitely rendered realism greets us with the comforting visions of superbly created Mexican landscapes loved and widely collected. On the other hand, in the second and larger space, he surprises us with an unusually romantic interpretation of landscape art. The first are his widely collected Mexican landscapes, and the latter paintings, started in Europe and completed upon his return to San Miguel, are less about what he envisioned and more about sensations and emotions. They are romantic interpretations of France and Italy in the autumn when the leaves turn their colors and start to fall. It is a very different color palate, not so much what he sees, but what he feels.
The Interseccíon Gallery is pleased to once again offer this entirely new interpretation of the landscape art by the maestro Corral. Please join us at the upcoming opening and in the months that follow.
Ramses Ruiz
Born in Leon, Guanajuato, where the artist continues to live and work, Ramses Ruiz is the perfect definition of an artist of his time. His superb sculpture technique equally balances with his history of the classics, interpreted with an extraordinary sense of humor. He creates work in terra-cotta, bronze, and resins. In the case of his purely Bernini-esque “Dejaré que los males pensamientos,” white resin mixed with alabaster creates a marble-like appearance, perfect for this Memento Mori type of oeuvre. Italy does not produce Carrara marble which would have been perfect for this very classic style of work. “To be or not to be,” skillfully injects pop in the world of classic imagery. The dichotomy between the Bernini like mannerism of this cited work juxtaposed with Michelangelo’s “Pieta” in which the figure of Jesus is replaced with a self-portrait of the artist clad in his jeans, is a perfect example. Once again, the technique used is white resin mixed with alabaster powder to give a marble-like appearance. Somehow he is able to pull this off without desecrating, no easy task.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that this Bernini meets pop art exhibition of Ruiz’s work is exhibited in several museums and can be found in major public and private collections.
This exhibition consists of a carefully culled selection of the different periods of the artist’s oeuvre so as to respectfully familiarize the public with his creative process. Once again, the Intersección Gallery takes great pleasure in offering it’s public an ever-changing selection of the finest in the contemporary world of the fine arts.
Angel Ricardo R. Rios
Originally from Cuba, but a nationalized Mexican, Angel Ricardo Ricardo Ríos fell under
the perfumed spell of Cuernavaca where he now lives and works after leaving
a successful career in Mexico City. He is one of those rare painters who creates large, magnificent, abstract paintings, with visibly recognized floral subjects. And to render these paintings even more sensuous, there are vague hints of erotica weaving throughout. His amazing use of color and free brushstrokes bring the paintings alive: one can almost scent the flowers. Yet, they remain strong and exciting, never sweet or decorative: no easy task. His success in Basel Miami this year does not come as a surprise. Both of these one person exhibitions are presented by the Intersección Gallery so as to honor their commitment to present quality and exciting contemporary art to the public.
Cocktail Vernissage
Sat, Feb 5, 5–8pm
Intersección Gallery
Fabrica Aurora
Masks must be worn and safe distances respected.
