Serás de Marfil 1991

This mixed media painting, Serás de Marfil, was made by Julio Galan, though the date is unknown. The palette here is rich with creams, reds, and blues, punctuated with touches of orange, to create a theatrical, dreamlike composition. I can imagine Galan building up the layers, shifting the elements, and letting the imagery emerge intuitively. I sympathize with artists who seek to create tension between the flat surface and the illusion of depth. Here, the figure in the center seems to float between dimensions. The red ribbon pulls us in and out. The image is meticulously rendered, yet there's an undeniable sense of vulnerability. You feel a sense of longing and melancholy, emotions Galan frequently explored. Galan has echoes of Frida Kahlo or Leonor Fini, fellow Mexican artists who explored similar themes of identity. Like them, Galan inspires us to see the world in new and unexpected ways. Painting is a conversation across time, inspiring creativity and open to endless interpretation.