| 01/12/2009 | Exhibitions | Cyprus |
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Susan Vargas Stefani | Taureapolis
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| Posted by Editor Cyprus | |
Larnaca, 8.12.2009 - 30.12.2009.  The painter Susan Vargas Stefani presents her latest work at ‘Kypriaki Gonia’ Gallery in Larnaca, on 8 December 2009. The title of the exhibition: Taureapolis. Following her successful presentation three years ago at the same gallery, this time she returns with new work, more vivid and more colourful. The subjects of her work are taken from reality, the places she has lived in and travelled to – Latin America, Europe, Cyprus – but also from images of the dream as created from the painter’s fantasy. The Bull’s image which is at the centre of her subject matter is surrounded by scenes with human figures that are transferring buckets or holding umbrellas framed by flying cyclists and cars and boats ‘sailing’ in the streets.... All this occurring in an urban environment structured artistically in the painter’s style. Caroline Frances, the American poet, says that “the thematic motif of the bull does not only show Susan Vargas’s cultural background, with the culture produced by bullfighting, but shows the mixing of civilisations, the Latin American with the Mediterranean... “In some of her works, she uses Minoan Bull-Leaping as a source of inspiration. These themes, however, possibly constitute a pretext for the painter. What she is aiming for is something from man’s deepest behaviour and human nature. This synthetic procedure occurs with clear figurative terms. The bull images in her works, with the odd figures of the town, look like ceremonial processions and exude an existential and metaphysical mystery. The technique and the use of material have an ingenious freshness and her plastic structures have the power of simplicity. These qualities reveal a painter who knows her work well but who is not easily satisfied. Susan Vargas Stefani’s work is proof that some artists can revive painting. Minister of the Interior, Mr. Neoclis Sylikiotis will open the exhibition on Tuesday 8th December at 7 pm The exhibition will continue until 30th December. The Taureapolis of Susan Vargas The word “Taureapolis†is an invention of the artist composed of the words Taurus (bull) and Polis (city). The bull, which Susan Vargas uses as the main theme, is not only an indication of her background (her native country, bullfights, etc.) it also brings to light the interaction between the Latin American and the Mediterranean cultures. The titles such as “The Bull of Santa Mariaâ€, “The Bull Leapersâ€, “Engomiâ€, are some examples of this. In her paintings she divides the surface and organises a distribution of the colour fields in such a way - often using diagonal lines - achieving in this way a dynamic composition. In her work there is a symbolic dimension and she uses a multileveled correlation between history and contemporary reality. Some of these paintings are “The Bull of Nicosiaâ€, “Dialogueâ€, â€Bull Leapers of 2060â€, “Minotaur†and “Bull of the Cityâ€. In her paintings one can notice flying bikers, people with umbrellas, others with masks, upside down houses, people enigmatically standing with buckets… The series of small paintings are worth mentioning. They are colourful paintings, full of freshness and vitality. The artist uses elements from children’s and naïve art to create a dreamlike atmosphere full of poetry and lyricism. Whatever the allusions to the word Taurepolis, Susan Vargas has created paintings full of mystery and expressionistic tension. Caroline Frances, Poet __________________________ Gallery Kypriaki Gonia 45 Stadiou Street, Larnaka, CY 6020 CYPRUS Tel: +357 24 621109 Fax: +357 24 629198 www.gallerykypriakigonia.com.cy |