Portraits are back-It just figures
By Melanie Harris (May 19, 2006)

In 2005, Art News magazine announced the "return of figurative art." The return of figurative art? Where did it ever go? Apparently, the elite of the art world pushed it out of the way for nearly 100 years, making way for more obscure expressions of the human experience as a way to demonstrate America's independence from Europe.

Two young, up-and-coming Instituto Allende graduates, Mariana Alarcón and Guillermo Guerrero, have chosen to hold onto their classical teachings and have chosen the human figure as the subject of their works. Alarcón and Guerrero met and studied together for four years at the Instituto Allende. Alarcón hails from Puebla and Guerrero from Querétaro, and both shared an interest in the figure.

Guerrero cites the evolution of the portrait from its inception as the "art of vain medieval kings and conquistadores" to "that of the commoners" as the most human of artistic communication. The portrait truly is a classical form of art and is as varied as every face. It has the distinct ability to really relay a message to a wide audience. As spectators we see something in a gaze, the droop of an eyelid or the twist of a mouth, to which we can relate, and it draws us into the psyche of the artist more quickly than random splashes of paint. This is what these two artists have taken away from their studies and are relating back to the viewer. In today's voyeuristic world, where reality TV shows dominate the public's attention, there is a renewed sensibility of the human experience. These two talented artists challenge their spec
tators to step out of their realm of experience, still distanced by a canvas, and take the challenge they present. Do the subjects' eyes examine us, or do we examine them? 
For more information about the artists, write to info@galeriaatelier.com.
"Subjects in Consequence", Paintings by Mariana Alarcón and Guillermo Guerrero

Friday, May 26, 6-8pm, Galería/Atelier, Fábrica La Aurora

May events at Bellas Artes

"FotoGuanajuato: Una vida con estilo" Work by Tufic Yazbek Friday, May 19, 7:30pm, Sala de Arte Mexican, Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75 An exhibit of drawings, "Moment, movement," by Paula Balderas  continues through May 28 in the Sala Principal.

A writing workshop on the short story will be held by Jorge F. Hernández on five consecutive Fridays, May 19 and 26 and June 2, 9 and 16,  at Bellas Artes, Hernández Macías 75. All sessions meet at 6pm.

Openings are currently available; inquire about enrollment at the Bellas Artes office.


Generator Gallery next week

Photographs by Lander Rodríguez Saturday, May 27 5-8pm Generator Gallery, Fábrica Aurora

Paintings by Angel Ricardo Rios

Saturday, May 27, 5-8pm

Generator Gallery, Fábrica Aurora