Valhalla 1978

Alex Castro made this print called Valhalla, though I can't say when or with what. What strikes me is how quiet it is: the subtle textures of the paper, the pale palette, all suggesting a kind of meditative space. The surface has this all-over quality, like a Rothko, where the subtle changes in tone and texture become the main event. But unlike Rothko, Castro introduces these little graphic elements, like scattered notations or enigmatic symbols. Take the number "13" for instance. It's so unassuming, yet it introduces an element of narrative, a sense of coded information waiting to be deciphered. It's like a whisper in a silent room, hinting at stories beyond the surface. This piece reminds me a little bit of Agnes Martin, in the way it finds profound meaning in the simplest of forms. Like Martin, Castro understands that sometimes, the most powerful statements are the ones that leave room for ambiguity, inviting us to bring our own interpretations to the table.