Archway Gallery
presents
Embraced by the Void
Mexican Painter, Cecilia Villanueva, Interprets Vacuum in Architecture
Exhibition October 7 – November 2, 2017
Opening Reception
DATE: Saturday, October 7, 2017
TIME: 5 – 8 p.m., Artist Talk: 6:30 p.m.
LOCATION:
Archway Gallery, 2305 Dunlavy,
Houston, Texas 77006
Houston, Texas 77006
Complimentary Valet Parking
& Light Refreshments
Cecilia Villanueva 's exhibition, Embraced by the Void, will be on view October 7 – November 2, 2017. The artist will be available to visit with guests during the opening reception on
Saturday, October 7, 2017, from 5 – 8 p.m. with an Artist's Talk at 6:30 p.m.
Cecilia Villanueva reflects upon open spaces using few lines and very few architectural structures creating compositions which verge on the void. Through her artwork, she creates a path to dark yet necessary spaces; a vacuum in a world without limits.
For the past 15 years, the artist has created paintings inspired by and depicting architecture from the past and present. On her city walks she noticed that architecture today is no longer about solid buildings; instead, it is more about voids and a sense of vacancy. After several years of observing these immaterial spaces in architecture, she decided to make an imaginary journey into the insubstantial void.
Indeed, to be embraced by the void, Villanueva immersed herself into an architectonical space she found, almost by accident, in cities around the world; her paintings are of a place called vertigo which is a path to a dark yet necessary space… the vacuum. Villanueva says, "I felt vertigo… and fear. I was seriously experimenting with my mind, and the leap into the void required courage."
Although this solo show is about architecture, her inspiration more specifically comes from the French philosopher Edgar Morin and his work on "complex thought" which has resulted in the artist's attempt to immerse herself more deeply and adequately into understanding the complexity of our present life. In these paintings, you will see few lines and minimal architectural structures on the verge of the void. She tempts us with a voyage to the unknown and makes us feel the need to jump into her dark indigo palette; this is not an attempt to escape life but to go deep into ourselves depleted of paradigms, media, and politics in search of answers to the complex questions presented by the 21st century.
This most recent body of work by Cecilia Villanueva includes paintings which appear clean, cool, and almost clinical. They are mostly aerial views from what is seen when traveling by airplane, or views from Google Earth. These paintings are tactile, rendered in oils and mineral ink. We are reminded that one can only dare to follow the challenge from the New York-based writer Mila Jaroniec, "Do not merely fall, but place yourself inside the void where one can only go with the removal of any external influences." Literally, come and jump.
Media Contact
Debra Ford
ABOUT ARCHWAY GALLERY Artist owned and operated since 1976. Archway Gallery, one of Houston's and the nation's oldest artist-owned and operated galleries, is located at 2305 Dunlavy and is open Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 – 5 p.m. Since 1976, Archway Gallery has been exhibiting the work of the area's finest artists, providing a great selection of affordable, high quality art including sculpture, pottery and painting in a variety of media and styles. One of the more than 30 member artists is always on site, providing visitors a unique experience to meet the artists who created the work, offering a personal insight into the process. Each month features a special exhibition highlighting member artist(s). The public is invited to the monthly opening receptions that celebrate the new installations and work, usually held the first Saturday of each month from 5 – 8 p.m. In addition to monthly exhibitions, Archway also hosts a variety of demonstrations and monthly readings for local writers and authors, as well as a "Tea and Tour" program, providing visitors with a free artist-led tour of the current exhibition, followed by tea and refreshments. With 30 artist-members, Archway Gallery is THE destination in the Houston area for affordable art directly from the artist. For more information, visit ArchwayGallery.com or call 713.522.2409. Like Archway Gallery on Facebook.
