Confluence 9 1998

Cesar Paternosto’s ‘Confluence 9’, presents a square canvas dominated by a field of rich magenta, subtly divided into a grid. Born in Argentina, Paternosto is a key figure in Latin American modernism. He has explored how indigenous world views challenge Western art traditions. In ‘Confluence 9’, Paternosto moves away from the dominance of the central image, as seen in much Western art, and draws influence from the indigenous art of the Americas. This is evident in his use of repetition and simple geometric forms, echoed here in the delicate vertical lines that punctuate the magenta field. Paternosto’s artistic vision is rooted in a desire to decolonize the canvas. He achieves this by using what he terms a “frontal-lateral” approach, expanding the pictorial field beyond its traditional boundaries. This quiet painting invites us to reconsider our assumptions about space, perception, and the cultural narratives embedded within art.