75As artists, we often reach junctures in our lives when we feel in need of a change of creative direction. This will most likely lead to a period of exploration as we experiment with a variety of styles, techniques and subject matter until something 'clicks' and we find the work consolidating in a new direction.
76Private galleries are notoriously unsympathetic to these artistic musings, preferring to exhibit an artist's work only when it conforms to a consistent and integrated style, believing - rightly or wrongly - that the work sells better that way.Yet, for the artist who finds him or herself at this experimental stage, the opinions of the public can be extremely helpful, casting light on aspects of the work that we may be unaware of and helping us to make choices when it comes to balancing the considerations of personal preference versus success in the market place that our new direction may imply. For this reason we are privileged to have access to public exhibition spaces - such as our beautiful 'El Pósito' in Loja - which tend to be less confining at the hour of determining the kind of work we show and enable us to hang our creative meanderings for all to see.
"Contrastes y Texturas" is the result of Loja-born María Gallego's attempt to throw off the impressionistic style for which she is known to immerse herself in the question 'What if?'. Her experiments range from brightly-coloured and boldly-styled Moroccan street scenes to subtle, print-like still life, made by pressing cut papers into watercolour washes.
77This is not an exhibition for those who want to see artists only in their moments of decisiveness but for those who are prepared to look with an open mind, it gives a rare and valuable insight into the workings of the mind of Gallego as well as into the creative process in general.CONTRASTES Y TEXTURAS
by María Gallego
CIC el Pósito, Loja
Exhibition open until 23 of May.
Tuesdays to Fridays from 6pm to 9pm and Saturdays 11 am to 2pm.
Entrance free.
