Andrew Salgado - A Never-Setting Sun
Despite the prevalence of Greek lettering and a falling body practically suffocating in feathers, the homage to Icarus by Andrew Salgado (@Andrew.Salgado.Art) triggered an entirely unexpected association: The Falling Man.
Many of us struggled immensely over the last few years. Salgado’s paintings from that period evocatively visualise the impact of succumbing helplessly to your surroundings, relenting and pausing to let the world around you do its thing.
In ‘Ghosts in the Villa’, ‘The Protagonist’ and ‘Dear Daedalus’ individuals appear to be captured in the moment of being overwhelmed. Their faces convey a calm, trance-like resignation. (Images 1, 4 and 8)
In contrast, other works spotlight characters striking theatrical poses for an audience unknown. There is motion and rhythm in ‘Dancing on Nabokov’, ‘Black Swan’ and ‘Solstice’ but as with his other figures, these too convey a pervasive sense of calm. Or possibly confidence? Maybe they are indeed actors performing. But if so, for who? (Images 6 and 10)
Intense facial features and overtly articulated, Matisse-like poses offer up an impression of struggle and sadness, while bright colours, bold brush strokes and oh so many skulls (Image 2) dance around the bodies vying for your attention.
It helps to stand back to appreciate the compositions. Then you’ll spot something amusing to make you move close again. I almost wore out the floor studying these. In particular, Salgado’s carefully chosen placement of collaged mixed-media to articulate a cigarette, the page of a book, tears and a nipple (Images 3, 5, 7 and 9).
These are playful, fun touches that provide moments of levity to otherwise serene and serious works. Reminders that a life fully lived must encompass all the emotions.
At Beers London (@BeersLondon) until 14 May
Visit andrewsalgado.com or follow @Andrew.Salgado.Art on Instagram for more info about the artist