These artists' works appear to exist on two sides of a spectrum: the emblematic and the highly personal. It is when these tendencies collide, that we seem to glimpse the unknown that Xavier Robles de Medina (b. 1990) is attempting to excavate through his idiosyncratic mix of symbols. The poetic nature and non-linearity of his subjects belies the almost mathematical rhetoric of how he constructs his paintings, which Robles de Medina mediates through the Cartesian coordinate system. Spending months forming his images, the slowness of Robles de Medina's process is an integral part of the paintings' vernacular. Alejandro González (b. 1974) is similarly interested in processes of reinterpretation and -contextualization, particularly in series that reconstruct historical scenes founded in the Cuba of the 1980s. Exploring and challenging ideas of representation, González' work encompasses issues of individual freedom and power, subverting established political narratives. Serge Attukwei Clottey's (b. 1985) chosen materials interlace his exploration of historical legacy with object-specific work. This process of transformation and repurposing forms the very fabric of Clottey's art; challenging pre-set narratives, while allowing for new ideas and identities to form.
Alejandro González, 1979 - 1992, 2014, Archival pigment print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag 310 gsm, 137 x 178 cm.
ZⓈONAMACO SUR, curated for the third time by Luiza Teixeira de Freitas, explores artist's practices, projects, and galleries from the Global South or those engaged with the region, beyond mere origin. This year, following the thematic distinction of past editions, the ideas of generosity and care is central in Zsonamaco Sur, expressed through actions, words, and emotions, playing a vital role in human relationships, healthcare, and so many other domains.
