the spanish effect

I’m certainly no art history expert. What I do know, however, is the effect that Spanish great’s Dali and Picasso had on me as a child. I distinctly remember running a finger along the spines of my dads art books and stopping curiously at Dali. Even at 10 years old I knew instinctively that the iconic image of melting clocks in a desolate landscape was reference to the rambling nature of the psyche – my psyche. In truth, I didn’t know what I felt, but whatever it was, it held me captive.

So too, Picasso’s portraits had me tilting my youthful head in quizzical wonder, forcing me to view them, to view life, from a different perspective, and so my lifelong love affair with philosophy was born.

We’ve seen many Spanish contemporaries come through the Gallery each with this enigmatic “Spanish effect”. Trailblazers Okuda and Guim, from 19karen days gone by, have both had this effect on me. Guim showing me the magic of scale. Okuda continuing my awe and wonder. The new wave of Spanish affiliates is here to make their mark, and they too, have me questioning, imagining and pondering in new ways that take me back to my 10 year old self, but through a 44 -year-old-lens, and I can tell you, it’s pretty special.

Meet the new wave of Spanish trailblazers above.

@Carlosquiralte_

@joseramonlozano

@Luciano_suarez

@Ivanmontanart

* Written by Monique Michel-Di Russo for 19 Karen Contemporary Artspace May 2024