The artist and Babalao
In my painting, I superimpose cultures, blending Yoruba and Bantu elements, representing, through their symbolism, a synthesis of their rituals; relying on signs and ritual elements. Often, my works reflect events and stories that spring from my imagination, accompanied by fantasy, which is not far from reality. I don’t wish to paint the event itself, but rather the concept; that’s why I believe everything is within me.
My works not only reflect the union of these two cultures, but also the motivations that correspond to my environment and my existence, since I was raised within traditions of African origin. Therefore, it is a commitment to myself.
The works on paper, cardboard, and canvas are created using mixed media, with oils, inks, acrylics, oil pastels, and waxes in some cases. I use color symbolically, and in other cases, according to what I want to express, be it a feeling, an emotion, a form, or representations of deities and ceremonies. Color also helps me balance the composition, control light and shadow, and highlight the gradation of tones, their brilliance, or their strong contrast. Space varies according to the subject I am expressing; I use all available space, making it an integral part of the work, to give the composition greater interest and richness. Something similar occurs in rituals and ceremonies, where the smallest detail has enormous importance.
I use textures to highlight the expressive areas of the composition, exploiting the inherent qualities of the materials; emphasizing the plastic values of the created surface; and using them to create transparencies in the figures. Within the composition, one can observe a variety of forms and elements that possess other configurations within them.
I use concrete and specific forms within realities that are shaped by large areas of color, specific forms that coexist and allow these realities to coexist.
