On the Threshold of Abstraction
The works of these four artists, from different backgrounds, cultures and experiences, are united through an open network of minimal associations with reality. The protagonists of this exhibition explore the states of suspension between figuration and abstraction, convinced that painting is not a speculation of the mind or intellect, but rather a gesture that has deeper roots, emotional and unconscious paths that emerge on the surface through the creative will.
The chaos in abstract art is only apparent: in reality the laws of composition assimilate a painting to a building: all its parts are connected to each other by physical laws. There is a great sense of freedom but the price is discipline towards precise rules.
Freed from the restrictions of “copying” the visible world, abstract form has always provided artists with a new alphabet with which to communicate. It also allowed for greater freedom of interpretation for the viewer. It is by no means an easy temptation, but a universal language with which to communicate states of being.
The world is full of objects, more or less interesting, and maybe it’s not exciting to add more, the artists seem to want to say with their works. Working on the fine line that separates reality from abstraction means affirming the existence of things in terms of temporal and/or spatial energy.
We are crossed by billions of images every day and people all over the world can raise their mobile phones to “take a picture” in an illusory appropriation of reality. While instead producing abstract images can be seen as a strong antidote to this proliferation, a healthy break, like taking a breath on reality and reconsidering the rhythms and times of our inner life.
What will be the future of abstract art? These artists are a testimony of how painting today has blunted the distinctions and ideologies that fed it in the past. The painting itself is a screen to cross, a physical threshold from which to re-emerge to return to the viewer’s point of view.
Biographical Notes
Sandra Duran Wilson comes from a family of artists and scientists. She grew up in a world where all things were possible in her imagination. It was a world where she could look through the microscope in her father’s office and paint what she saw. Her early years were spent on the border of Mexico where the people, animals, landscape, music, culture and the stories of the curanderas shaped her reality. Years later she would return frequently to Mexico and South America to absorb the culture, traditions and art. Her spirituality combined with her scientific studies directed her work from realism to abstraction.
Her work is influenced by scientific concepts in physics, chemistry and biology. The pure fun of exploring what paint can do and her natural curiosity keeps the work fresh and lively. She is continually exploring new surfaces, materials and techniques. Her work is represented in galleries in the US and Australia and is found in corporate, civic and educational institutions and private collections globally. She experiments, paints, writes and teaches at her studio in Santa Fe, NM. She also teaches around the US, Europe and Australia. She is the author of five art technique books, several DVDs and her work has been featured in numerous books and magazines.
Ramil Karipov was born in 1986 in Neftekamsk (Russia). After graduating from college, he worked for some time in his profession. After trying to find himself, Ramil begins to master spiritual practices, where at a particular moment, his inspiration becomes love for art, in particular for painting. A young Russian artist-autodidact, began his creative activity in 2017. Ramil’s works are works of different genres, made in the author’s synthetic style. The author’s attention is not focused on a specific problem or idea, the main goal is to express the subjective perception and vision of the surrounding world. Ramil Karipov’s paintings are a reaction to objects and events of the outside world, a distorted, alternative reality of the artist. The author’s autodidactism allows him working in different artistic directions and techniques and organically combine elements of variable styles, creating a unique artistic language. He was Graduated from interior design courses at the Architecture and Design School in 2016, and from contemporary art courses at the Anna Radchenko Art Academy.
Midori MacCabe has been fascinated by nature’s colors and forms since she was a child. At home, she learned calligraphy from her mother, a Japanese calligrapher who is an expert of “HIRAGANA”. Midori thought those forms were also very organic and loved them. One summer, her mother took her to the studio of a contemporary artist for private lessons. His atelier was full of abstract paintings and she was excited by those colors and textures; especially sand from the ocean. Midori felt as if she had entered a wonderful unknown world of creativity. She also learned to love music; playing the piano and classical vocal training. All these experiences formed the foundation for a life-long love of color and form. She has traveled extensively; living in several different countries and exploring the artistic potential of different cultures. In recent years her frequent trips to Venice and Milan have been a major source of inspiration. She has exhibited her work extensively in Europe, Japan and USA, including a “2 years solo show in Google Headquarters” and in several New York galleries.
Barbara Morea (Bash) was born in 1975 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is a Visual Artist and studied Graphic Design at Palermo University. Since 2018 she has been attending to Delfina Bourse´s art studio lessons. In 2022 and 2019 she attended to Eduardo Stupia´s course at Universidad Di Tella. She also participated in the online course at The Courtauld in Ingland. Watercolour: J.M.W. Turner’s theory and practice. Bash attended several workshops with Mayee Futerman for Chinese Brush Painting at the UCLA. Dramatic Skyes with Goyo Barja and Simultaneas II with Tulio de Sagastizabal and Eduardo Stupía. She studied watercolor with Helen Dealtry in New York, U.S.A. Art studio lessons with Monique Tezanos Pinto and has been an intern for Milton Glaser INC. in New York, U.S.A. Bash has been participating at several exhibitions such us: AntesDespués Delfina Bourse, Miami Art Week – Spectrum Miami, BADA – Buenos Aires directo de Artista. Museums Night in the Palacio Barolo, Fuerza Material Delfina Bourse and Cardenal Newman Institute. Bash works mainly with ink on rice paper, inspired by nature, what is in constant change, what is dynamic. She seeks for what is not perfect, what is out of the standard. Enjoying the simplicity and beauty of things and letting what springs from within flow.
Ramil Karipov
Midori McCabe
Barbara Morea
