De-Formation #4 2016

Curator: Rodrigo Franzao created "De-Formation #4" in 2016, using acrylic paint on canvas. What strikes you first about this work? Editor: The ochre ground with stark black shape certainly grabs my attention, but those seemingly random wires branching out throw me. They're so…vulnerable against the controlled background. Curator: Vulnerability is a great way to describe it. For me, I think about the title, "De-Formation," in light of the geometric shapes fighting for dominance. We have the implied circle, the stark line, and the unruly wire – it makes me think about structures that oppress certain kinds of bodies or experiences, especially how some might chafe against that circle of control. Editor: That reading absolutely resonates. For me, circles often speak to wholeness, or cycles. The solid black disrupts that feeling, its drippy form seemingly contained, yet fighting to break free. Even the wires give the impression of energy trying to earth itself. Curator: Absolutely! We can consider this resistance in a political light. In my eyes, the canvas evokes a very specific socio-political tension regarding marginalized bodies resisting fixed norms, whether social, cultural, or even those dictating gender and racial expectations. That deep black feels charged with unarticulated, raw power that refuses to stay contained. Editor: I see that parallel to power dynamics. I'm intrigued by the deliberate placement of each element, creating a symbolic ecosystem of tension, balance, and release. This interplay seems to want us to examine where strength resides, and what “beauty” is or isn't in a damaged ecosystem. Curator: Franzao's work here provides space for contemplation around how identities are simultaneously formed and deformed by external forces. He allows the work to act almost like a social commentary. The intentional negative space becomes a fertile zone. Editor: And the visual metaphors! It encourages an emotional encounter. One thing I know for certain, this artwork plants a seed that asks: how are systems built, sustained and ultimately resisted in favor of growth? Curator: Indeed! This artwork has opened our eyes and minds! Editor: Thank you for guiding us to reflect and go deeper.