Contrasts: daniel Rodríguez collazo & Pura Sangre
May 15th - June 6th, 2020
Location
6448 Hwy 290 E., Suite A102, Austin, TX 78723
CAMIBAart Gallery is excited to present this exhibition of black and white artworks by two immerging Latin American artists: Daniel Rodriguez Collazo is based in Havana Cuba, and Pura Sangre who lives and works in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The contrasts between their artworks are obvious; their works are distinct, recognizably different in nature, readily distinguishable by our senses.
However, despite their obvious differences, these works feel right shown side by side and maybe it is because there are also so many commonalities.
Daniel creates in a painterly fashion using charcoal on canvas while Pura Sangre creates using mark-making techniques with mostly ink on paper, yet they are both using the contrast of black and white, void of color other than that naturally found in their canvas or paper.
Pura Sangre’s imagery portrays fantastical characters influenced by his Zapotec & Mazatec heritage while Daniel’s imagery is based on Peruvian pre-Hispanic objects and their relationship to the cosmos. But both artists’ artworks are object driven and explore heritage, traditions, and symbologies.
In Daniel Rodríguez Collazo’s own words:
The references and imagery in the Infinite Cities series is related to the ancient cultures of Peru. Working in a residency in Peru provided me access to a private collection of pre-Hispanic objects, including some Mallets, which became the subject of this set of artworks. The mallets attracted my attention because of the relationship these pre-Hispanic cultures had with the universe and what can be seen in these forms.
(click the image to see more artworks or to learn more about Daniel)
In Pura Sangre’s own words:
Growing up in San Antonio Arrazola Xoxocoltlán, the cradle of the Alebrijes, I had a raw childhood riddled with strange dreams, nightmares really, nightmares I could never seem to escape. At first, as any child does, I feared those dreams, but then my mother told me: Son, stop running from what torments you and use it to your advantage. From that point on, the visions determine the appearance of my artwork and I always accompany my artworks with a poetic yet abstract story; on the one hand I want the viewer to understand what I feel, yet on the other I want them to believe what they see. I still have those strange dreams about those shapes and nightmares that I still do not understand, but thankfully now my imagination and my works grow alongside me.
(click the image to see more artworks or to learn more about Pura Sangre)