Serás de Marfil 1991

This is Julio Galan’s painting, Serás de Marfil, and it looks like it was made with oil on canvas. I love the way Galan uses colors to create a dreamy, almost surreal atmosphere. It's not just about what's depicted but how it feels. Look closely, and you'll notice how the textures play together. The painting itself feels smooth, but there are elements, like the ribbons and the peeled away "skin" of the figure that give the impression of real depth. I'm drawn to the figure holding the two round objects in his hands. Are they a metaphor for life, for the balance of being? It makes me think of Felix Gonzalez-Torres, whose candy spills were a meditation on loss and longing, in a similar way. Ultimately, art like this reminds us that it's okay to ask questions without demanding answers. It’s an invitation to explore, to feel, and to think.