Orquídeas 2020

Curator: It is my pleasure to introduce you to Luis Álvarez Roure's "Orquídeas," painted in 2020 using both acrylic and oil paints on canvas. Editor: The initial impression is one of serene elegance. The delicate pink orchids, presented against the textured white backdrop, exude a quiet grace, though there's a very real and tactile sense of the materials used here. Curator: The choice to depict orchids is interesting. They have been historically associated with luxury, beauty, and even, at times, eroticism, in Western culture. It begs the question what social commentary Álvarez Roure might be making. Is it merely a study in beauty, or a commentary on consumption? Editor: For me, the interest lies in the impasto technique. The visible brushstrokes and the layers of paint showcase the artist's process, almost like an archaeological record of creation. There is nothing ethereal, to my eye. The labor becomes apparent in every textured petal, forcing the viewer to consider the physical effort required to conjure this "beauty". Curator: That's a valid point. Roure, presenting in galleries and museums as he does, participates in a marketplace economy where skill and unique technique are key in distinguishing oneself. How can the gallery system truly make space for commentary when the artists are reliant on that very economy? Editor: I would be more focused on whether this tension becomes visible in the materiality. The visible texture moves beyond the conventional beauty associated with the flower itself and demands our focus shift to how the medium delivers a complex story. And more information is necessary – was the impasto built over time or created through single sittings? Such decisions offer insights into process and intent. Curator: It encourages us to contemplate art’s evolving role in reflecting or even shaping cultural perceptions of the artist. This piece seems to embrace these dialogues, presenting a seemingly straightforward subject with intriguing complexities for today's audiences. Editor: Absolutely, thinking about this work encourages me to appreciate that beyond the aesthetics, there's a real dialogue occurring, facilitated by the art and its mode of production. The orchids provide a visual access point, allowing us to appreciate what could be a critical view.