Gustavo Sigal
was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After graduating from the faculty
of civil enginnering at the University of Buenos Aires, he studied
stage management, film and photography before taking up painting and
working with well known artists Claudio Barragán and Alejandro
Boim.
He has exhibited
his work in the Del Socorro Art Gallery, Buenos Aires, (2002), has
participated in the XIII Salon of Tango in the Municipal Museum Felix
Amador, Argentina (2001); the XXIII National salon of Painting in
the Fine Arts Municipal Museum, Argentina (2001); the IV National
Salon of Painting of Avellaneda in the Province de Santa- Fe, Argentinae
(2000); the VI Small Format Salon, Edea 2000 Gallery (2000) and the
XVII Salon of Tango "Hommage to Sigfrido Pastor", Municipality
Vicente López, Argentina (1999). Sigal now makes his home and
pursues his artistic career in Montreal, Quebec.
DISCOVERING
LIGHT
Translated by Julio C. Chackal N.
We perceive
the light primarily through the shadows it creates. In painting, therefore,
if we wish to make an element stand out, we will cause the element
to be illuminated and the background to be darker or we will use 'colder'
colors for one and 'warmer' colors for the other, or we will play
with these possibilities.
Our
eyes are accustomed to compare and we see as a result of contrasts
or differences. When we arrive in a country the process is somewhat
similar. The place where we arrive is as important as that place we
have left; it is on the basis of their differences that our 'scale'
of perception will begin to tilt.
Our
memories will be measured against our expectations, our amenable reaction
against possibilities which appear to us, our certain history against
our uncertain future.
In my case, I leave a land, Argentina, which has lost its smile, where
hunger and poverty persist in a way that appears permanent (hopefully
time will prove me wrong), where no future can be seen; and there,
where there appears to be no future, life cannot exist.
I
arrive in a country which opens its doors to me, which treats me as
an equal. A country with its shortcomings and its virtues, but a country
in which hope is alive and where there always appears a door ready
to open for me.
Perhaps in the field of art these doors are fewer in this new country?
Perhaps these doors are more hidden? Both perceptions appear to be
true.
Perhaps it is more difficult here to combine quality and the tastes
of the market? This also appears to be true.
In
these perceptions, however, is the challenge for the artist, to find
those doors which offer hope although he may feel those doors do not
exist. The artist knows that in this constant search life will unfold
before him.
All works copyright Gustavo Sigal
Editors
note: To find out more about the artist or to get in touch with him,
please write to contact@artsandopinion.com,
to the attention of Marissa Consiglieri de Chackal - Arts Editor.
