OT:
Because of your contributions to this forum, I would like to thank you personally for your work and mention how concise and precise your work has become. I do not know you, but you are unique. Here is an essay of a mentor and friend of mine for your reading pleasure.
The Official Website
Orlando Agudelo-Botero
Magic – The Jugglers
A One Man Exhibition
Orlando Agudelo-Botero is a true original: Artistically, thematically and stylistically. He follows his own path, unaffected by emerging trends, fads or fashions and that is what makes each new body of works so highly anticipated.
Titled, MAGIC, this most recent group of oils on canvas is outwardly about juggling, but juggling as a metaphor for the balance we all seek in life. The artist depicts juggling in a host of life’s endeavors; family, education, love, logic, emotions, resources, etc. Reflecting the artist’s own inner harmony, these paintings enrich our own landscapes and provide a visual map to the painter’s soul.
In each of these paintings, Orlando’s life philosophy flows out through his art. It is true expression, powerfully rendered with a sense of joy. When speaking of this body of work, Orlando said, “To me these paintings embody the integrity of the creative process … the search, the exploration period, the discovery and finally, the realization.”
In La Familia – Árbol de la Vida, Orlando explores one of his recurring themes that has been with him since childhood … the family. In this painting, the father figure stands along a horizon line, which sweeps gently up a rolling hill and against a bright clear sky. Both are symbolic of the journey ahead of them. He juggles as he stands before his wife and child and one gets the sense that he is entertaining them, as well as juggling or balancing their family dynamics, status and concerns. The mother, holding the child, sits on a stack of books, emphasizing the importance of education, while along with their child; both look up in support of the father. Behind them, a small, gentle, but sturdy tree gives form to the proverbial “Tree of Life.”
In A Cappella, one of his time-revered archetypes makes itself present and the artist responds with devotion. This time, he has distilled its truth providing the canvas with a simple and powerful human form over a mystical dark background, like a candle of bright light in the darkness. Orlando says of these archetypes: “These images appeared in my drawings when I was three years old. They have evolved over the years and I see them as strong, simple expressions of our basic humanness. The circles surrounding the figure … in perfect balance and harmony are projections of love …love we have and the love we give. These archetypal images are a part of me; they are aspects of us. There are times in the studio in which I call them forth … they are essence and an important element in my creative zone. There are times in which I feel they are asking me or even challenging me to transcend and to discover beyond that which I know, that which I have previously established.”
Humanidad is the painting in which the artist reveals his ideology in matters which he feels are needed in the world. During his research for this piece, Orlando spoke to a great number of individuals and asked them the following question: “In your own opinion, what are the three most important elements that our generation should prioritize, in order to create a better world for future generations?” After months of research and personal reflection he decided to create a simple but strong painting depicting a vast landscape with two horizon lines, one in the foreground, tilted upwards representing the present and a second one, in the background, level across the canvas, faintly visible into the future. A central, primitive figure, symbolizing humanity stands with open arms, juggling three large tablets against bright cadmium yellows and gentle moss greens, both colors, he uses to symbolize hope. Each tablet contains a singular word or symbol of the elements which the artist deeply believes are the most important priorities; Love, Education and Science.
In another canvas, Magic, The Tree of Prosperity, the artist begins with a lush, red canvas. A juggler, romantically and lyrically drawn, stands in the center against a horizon line tilting upward, suggesting with optimism the process of life as an uphill journey and subsequently, growth. The juggler’s arms are moving rhythmically as he masterfully keeps twelve objects suspended in sync. Off to one side is a delicately drawn tree bearing the fruits of prosperity while the light along the horizon line suggests the dawning of a new day.
In Equanimity, the artist creates the personification of love and romanticism, expressed with graceful lines and an intimate palette, honoring the universal feminine figure with subdued brilliance. This archetype has been appreciated throughout his career and it has been portrayed observing a great deal of dignity and respect to his subject matter. Two succulent, heart shaped apples, on each side of her, suspended in perfect balance are symbolic of a perfect equilibrium. The horizon behind her is perfectly level and the row of trees arranged together to form a whole is his testimony of structure and organization, his basis for equilibrium and equanimity. Above her, romantically etched into the canvas is a shooting star, which foreshadows good things to come.
In Idealismo, a solitary figure sits and contemplates life, surrounded by a wash of soft, pastel colors. He has created his own environment represented by these colors and that becomes his own reality. By his demeanor we can tell that he is an optimist filled with hope… even euphoria or buoyancy as he playfully juggles his ideals into the air… and contemplates his life and the wonderful possibilities ahead. His new reality will be a direct result of his ideals.
The Magic of Frolicking shows two figures, male and female, performing a playful pas de deux against a passionate, red sky. He leads the dance and juggles the stars for her while she gently provides his balance by reaching out for his feet. Surrounding them are a myriad of stars which encourages their free will and adds dimension to the powerful sky. Below them is a row of trees, which offers perspective, provides the illusion of a horizon line and serves to impart their momentum into the sky.
In the Juggler, one of the first images begun in this body of work, as well as the largest painting of the seventeen canvases, the figure is elongated and supple. His form, not executed according to human anatomy, shows flexibility and agility and suggests the ability to bend without breaking, attributes that are essential of a good juggler. His head, deftly drawn, looking both right and left, as if glancing into the present and future. He juggles fruit: apples and oranges, both metaphors for the different issues in life. Two of these fruits are golden, symbolizing the spiritual elements of our life. As in most of the pieces in this series of paintings, in the lower corner is a tree that represents life and by the colors on the horizon, we can faintly see a rebirth, a dawning, an emerging sun.
Horizonte (Horizon) was created in celebration of the splendor of life. For this purpose, a jubilant human figure is portrayed facing the vastness of the landscape in front (a metaphor for life) and an extended horizon, symbolic of goals, personal growth and new realities to achieve. The palette he chose for this painting is simple, yet eloquent and strong. The clear blue sky is symbolic of the future to come and the Venetian red with accents of moss green are indicative of solidity and optimism. Orlando started this painting on a single 36" X 36" canvas. However, as the concept evolved, more space was needed to achieve his goal and a triptych was born...
Orlando Agudelo-Botero’s most recent body of work, Magic, flows from the mind and soul of an artist whose creative energies illuminate and nourish our own inner being, as well as reflecting the artist’s own rich artistic traditions. These images come from that place which is real, authentic and genuine. Both poetic and philosophical, these works articulate the artist’s fundamental beliefs and provide a new and unique outlook on life’s journey. This group of paintings, in progress for more than two years, is both thought provoking and meaningful. Orlando Agudelo-Botero has painted that which comes naturally to him and in doing so, he reveals his own unique perspective and his ability to see the world through idealistic, yet profound and fresh eyes.
www.orlandoab.com
