Gallery

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The House of the Mind

Pablo Diaz Carballo 

2024

CATALOGS

Original Contemporary Art: Paintings. Artist representative, Michael Kirby – Phone to +1 (785) – 491.0576, Director@pablodiazcarballo.com 

Graphic Archaeology

Graphic Archaeology Pilot Project

Ideo Arte Plastic Process Project Timeline

The House of the Mind: a conceptual art painting of the decision-making process. 1.- Exploration in multiple directions: represented by the left and right windows. 2.- Decision and Effort: symbolized by climbing stairs. 3.- Leap into the void: illustrates the final choice or decision.

Hermeneutics

Architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva – U.C.V.

Lyrical abstraction

Critical Analysis of Pablo Díaz Carballo’s Paintings

Composition and Structure:
Díaz Carballo’s compositions show a strong inclination towards abstraction, where geometric shapes and lines intertwine in a visual counterpoint. The first stage of his painting was marked by blue or grey lines that suggest architectural structures or windows, creating a sense of spatial depth despite the abstraction. Thick, angular lines dominate the composition, methodically guiding the viewer’s gaze through the work.

Use of Color:
The color in these works is highly expressive. In the lyrical abstraction works, blue, grey and black predominate, creating a cold and contemplative atmosphere, interrupted by flashes of reds and warm tones that suggest an underlying tension. In the works where greys dominate, black and white dominate the scene, creating a dramatic contrast that enhances the sense of rigidity and structure, as if the painting itself were composed of blocks of shadows and light.

Texture and Technique:
Díaz Carballo employs a technique that highlights textures, with visible, expressive or loose brushstrokes and layers of paint that add a tactile dimension to his works. In these works, texture is combined with high-contrast colors and an almost sculptural representation of objects, using earthy tones that connect the subject with the materiality of the medium. The roughness of the strokes and the gestural application of paint reinforce the emotional intensity of the work.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
Although abstract, Díaz Carballo’s works seem to suggest a hidden narrative, related to our inner world and the house of the mind. Windows and structures can be interpreted as metaphors for perception or introspection, while the objects depicted seem to speak of a duality between the natural, realism and the constructed, the organic and the artificial.

Conclusion:
Overall, Pablo Díaz Carballo’s paintings stand out for their ability to balance form and content, creating compositions that invite reflection. Her use of color, texture and shape not only builds a unique aesthetic, but provokes an internal dialogue in the viewer, encouraging the exploration of the multiple concepts, meanings, thoughts and emotions that emerge from each stroke and pigment, making each work a poetic and complex image.

The two paintings presented are part of a conceptual series entitled “Flowers and Freedom,” which is linked to the metaphor of the “House of the Mind” developed by Pablo Díaz-Carballo. This metaphor, central to his work, explores how the inner space of the mind and spirit can be cultivated, expanded, and transformed through creativity and art.

Visual and Conceptual Analysis:

First Image (The Soul):
The first work, marked by dark tones and strong contrasts between light and shadow, evokes a space of introspection, where the mind struggles to find clarity in the midst of darkness. This inner space, with a door or window that lets in light, could represent the process of opening the mind to new ideas, of searching for the light of freedom in the midst of confusion and chaos. Darkness, in this case, symbolizes the limits of the mind, the psychological or emotional barriers that can keep us trapped, while light represents the freedom found by crossing those limits. Furthermore, light can be seen as a symbol of divine knowledge and grace that illuminate the mind and spirit, allowing both to expand beyond their limitations into a deeper understanding of reality.

Second Image (Garden):
In contrast to the first image, this second painting features a vibrant and colorful field of flowers. Here, the use of color is instrumental in conveying a sense of freedom and growth. The flowers, with their diversity of colors and seemingly random arrangement, symbolize the variety and richness of thoughts and emotions that flourish in a liberated and creative mind. The loose, expressive brushwork suggests a sense of movement and life, indicating that freedom of the mind is not a static state, but a continuous process of growth and transformation.

The central element of the painting, a red flower that stands out from the others, can be interpreted as a representation of individuality within that space of freedom. It is an affirmation that, within the “House of the Mind,” every thought, idea, or emotion has its own space to flourish. The red flower could symbolize the willpower or even the heart of the individual who, by breaking free from external constraints, finds their true voice. This flower, in its uniqueness, could also be connected to the notion of recognizing the divine in the everyday—a concept that invites one to see the sacred in the natural world, as a reflection of God’s presence in Creation.

Conceptual Connection: “Flowers and Freedom” and “The House of the Mind”

The “Flowers and Freedom” series seems to visually illustrate the metaphor of the “House of the Mind.” If the first painting represents the dark confines and internal struggles within the mind, the second shows what happens when that mind is freed: an explosion of creativity, color, and life. Through this series, Díaz-Carballo suggests that freedom is not simply the absence of barriers, but the ability of the mind to cultivate an inner garden where ideas, emotions, and thoughts can flourish to their fullest expression.

Both paintings, when viewed together, depict a journey from introspection and internal struggle to mental expansion and liberation. The contrast between the dark and the light, the confined and the expansive, reinforces the idea that true freedom is found in the mind’s ability to overcome its own limits and flourish in its full creative potential.

In short, “Flowers and Freedom” is not just a celebration of natural beauty, but a profound exploration of the human potential for inner transformation, where art serves as the key to unlocking the doors of the mind and allowing ideas and emotions to flourish in their full splendor. This process of expansion and contemplation, guided by art, reflects a constant search for God in creation, showing how this search can enrich and elevate a person’s spiritual and mental life.

Flowers and Freedom

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GARDEN

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Critical Analysis of Pablo Díaz Carballo’s Paintings

Composition and Structure: Pablo Díaz Carballo’s painting features a decorative vase filled with vibrant flowers as its central element. The vase, placed on a pedestal, draws the viewer’s attention to the colorful floral explosion. The background, with its intricate red pattern, adds depth and luxury, complementing the detailed elements in the foreground. The balance between the symmetrical vase and the organic, flowing arrangement of flowers creates a dynamic interplay between order and natural beauty.

Use of Color: Color plays a crucial role in this work. Díaz Carballo employs a rich palette that includes blues, purples, oranges, greens, and whites. The vibrant hues of the flowers contrast with the neutral tones of the vase, making the flowers stand out as the focal point. The red background intensifies the overall warmth of the painting, evoking passion and vitality. The juxtaposition of cool and warm tones adds an emotional complexity to the piece.

Texture and Technique: Díaz Carballo’s technique is characterized by meticulous attention to detail, particularly in the depiction of the vase and floral patterns. The texture of the vase is almost tangible, providing a solid foundation for the delicate flowers. The brushstrokes used to depict the flowers are fluid and expressive, suggesting movement and life. The background’s texture adds depth and richness, demonstrating the artist’s ability to capture both the solidity of objects and the ephemeral nature of life.

Symbolism and Interpretation: This painting can be interpreted as a reflection on the fragility of beauty and the transient nature of life. The flowers, symbols of beauty, love, and nature, also represent the delicate balance required to sustain freedom and other social privileges. The vase, as a container, may symbolize the need to protect and nurture these fleeting qualities. The inclusion of the critical text further emphasizes this interpretation, drawing a metaphor between the destruction of a meticulously tended garden by unexpected snowfall and the vulnerability of freedom in society.

Conclusion: Pablo Díaz Carballo’s painting is a rich and meaningful work that combines technical mastery with profound symbolism. The careful composition, use of vibrant colors, and varied textures invite the viewer to reflect on the interplay between permanence and transience, beauty and fragility. This painting not only captures the essence of natural beauty but also evokes deeper contemplation of social values and the efforts required to preserve them.

Conceptual Analysis Framework: “My neighbors spend a lot of time taking care of the flowers in their garden. Mrs. Moats is an artist in the process of planting and caring for various flowers to create a true work of art in the large garden of her house, which could be indirectly related to the artists of the Land Art movement. In the spring, Mrs. Moats had worked for weeks and had already finished all the work in the garden, but the weather in this state is unpredictable; suddenly, an unexpected snowfall fell and in one night ruined all the flowers. At that moment, I realized the metaphor between the beauty and fragility of flowers and the beauty and fragility of freedom. Freedom is not free; to maintain those privileges, proactive citizens are needed in their communities, like gardeners, to maintain the system that gives us the privilege of living in freedom.”

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Bottles

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Critical Analysis of an Artwork Featuring Bottles

Composition and Structure: The artwork presents a composition centered around a collection of bottles, possibly including water bottles, wine bottles, and empty bottles repurposed as vases. The arrangement of these bottles varies, with some standing upright, others lying on their sides, and some containing flowers. The artist may have chosen to group the bottles together in a way that evokes a still life composition, where the shapes and forms of the bottles create a rhythm within the artwork. The positioning of the bottles in relation to each other establishes a balance between structure and disorder, perhaps reflecting the tension between utility and aesthetic value.

Use of Color: The color palette in this work might vary from earthy tones, representing glass, to bright splashes of color in the flowers. The transparent or semi-transparent quality of the bottles could be emphasized through the use of light and shadow, creating a play of reflections and refractions on their surfaces. The inclusion of colored liquids in some bottles or the use of colored glass might add vibrancy and contrast, offering the viewer a spectrum of hues that shift depending on the light. The color choices may also hint at the emotional tone of the piece—subdued tones might suggest a meditative or melancholic atmosphere, while bright, vivid colors could convey energy and life.

Texture and Technique: The artist’s technique could focus on the varied textures within the composition: the smooth, hard surface of the glass bottles, the delicate softness of the flowers, and the roughness of the bottle labels or surrounding materials. The brushstrokes (or other medium used) might be precise and controlled, mimicking the clean lines of manufactured glass, or they could be more expressive, capturing the organic flow of liquid or the fragility of petals. The texture plays a significant role in differentiating the elements of the composition, inviting the viewer to consider the physicality of each object depicted.

Symbolism and Interpretation: Bottles, as everyday objects, carry with them a multitude of associations. In this artwork, the bottles might symbolize various themes such as containment, preservation, or consumption. Water bottles could represent life and sustenance, while wine bottles might evoke celebration or indulgence. Empty bottles repurposed as vases might symbolize renewal or transformation, hinting at the idea of finding beauty in the mundane. The flowers within some bottles could serve as a symbol of life flourishing even in unexpected places, suggesting a narrative of resilience and adaptability. The artwork might invite the viewer to reflect on themes of recycling, environmental consciousness, or the transient nature of material objects and their reimagined purposes.

Conclusion: This artwork, through its focus on bottles, serves as a meditation on the intersection of utility and beauty, the ordinary and the extraordinary. The careful composition, thoughtful use of color, and varied textures encourage the viewer to see familiar objects in a new light, imbuing them with deeper significance. Whether commenting on consumer culture, environmental issues, or the simple pleasures of everyday life, the artwork challenges the viewer to reconsider the role these objects play in our lives and the potential they hold for new meanings.

THE YELLOW TUTU

Five years dedicated to understanding reality according to Plato’s concept of ‘kalokagathia’ and the House of the Mind.”

SQUARES

EUA 2022

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Architecture if the Mind

These two images present works of art that evoke an atmosphere of introspection and melancholy through the skillful use of color, light, and composition.

In the first image, we see a dark interior scene that opens toward an intense light in the background, creating a strong contrast between shadow and light. The composition is dominated by blue and black tones, suggesting a sense of mystery or even desolation. The structure observed on the right, which appears to be a door or window allowing light to pass through, can be interpreted as a symbol of transition or hope. The way the light diffuses into the interior suggests a struggle between darkness and illumination, which can be a metaphor for internal conflict or a search for clarity amidst confusion.

The second image also plays with the contrast between light and darkness but in an outdoor context. The earthy tones and texture of the painting suggest an arid or desolate landscape, perhaps a barren or devastated terrain. The light on the horizon could represent either a sunrise or sunset, both moments of transition and change. The loose and gestural brushwork adds an emotional quality to the piece, capturing the energy and movement of the landscape. The presence of a thin, solitary structure in the center reinforces the sense of loneliness or isolation.

Both works seem to explore themes related to time, transition, and the human experience in the face of the unknown or the ineffable. The choice of dark colors and sharp contrasts between light and shadow underscores a vision that could be interpreted as existential, where the light not only illuminates but also reveals the deep shadows of the psyche or environment.

In terms of style, the paintings are influenced by movements such as Conceptual Art and Expressionism, where philosophy contrasts and balances against the emotion and subjectivity of the artist. The work is possibly also influenced by Symbolism, given the use of elements such as the staircase, the window, and the door, which seem to be imbued with meaning beyond their mere visual representation.

In summary, these works suggest an introspective and emotional journey, where light and shadow not only define the physical space but also the mental and emotional space. The ambiguity and atmosphere they create invite the viewer to reflect on their own existence and the passage of time, reminding us of the complexity of the human experience in its constant struggle to find meaning in a world that is often dark and disorienting.