Swab Barcelona

Friends, Romans, countrymen, come to the Swab art fair starting next wednesday the 23rd at Pabellon 2 of La Fira in scenic Placa España, Barcelona, Spain. I will be there with the Gallery Tres Punts, Stand 22, alongside the likes of Samuel Salcedo, Poala de Grenet, Sito Mujica, and Ramon Surinyac

Hope to see you there...

Meanwhile on the Peninsula, 250cm x 160cm, Painted Steel, 2012

Salvese Quien Pueda...

or

Everyman for Himself...

Salvese Quien Pueda..., 105cm x 143cm, Painted Steel, 2012

If you live in Spain nowadays it's hard to escape the constant dull roar in the press, on the streets, in the cafes and bars etc. etc. etc. in relation to the current financial crisis and subsequent meltdown of the Spanish banking system. I felt this image was appropriate for the moment that this culture and society finds itself. I liked the idea of a life preserver or, Life Jacket as if there was something out there that could really protect us. I'm hoping that viewers can see beyond the image to the icon and reflect on the idea of life preservation and not the current mentality that seems rampant which is that of everyman for himself...

Meanwhile on the Peninsula

Of Butanos y Butaneros

 Source material for Meanwhile on the Peninsula

If you live in Spain then you know the far off and increasingly closer klank of the butanero broadcasting his presence in the neighborhood. I remember the first time I heard it laying in bed and thinking "Who the f#%& is making that racket!!!!". I learned that the clanging was the plaintiff call of the butanero looking to mate with consumers who's buildings had not yet been adapted to having gas piped directly into their homes. It's a bit of a strange, very basic system for distributing Gas bottles throughout the land. The Butaneros are primarily Pakistani. In the piece I wanted to address this subculture of Spain which to me seems somehow a form medievil serfdom. Butanos for me are very much a symbol of life in Spain and by using the truck (which is owned and run by the company Repsol) I wanted to draw a parallel between the large and powerful multinationals that rule Iberia as well as draw attention to the caste (so to speak) that are responsible for the distribution of the individual bottles. Literally the powerful and rich reliant on the backs of the have nots. I also liked the truck because there is no driver, if you have been in Spain any of the last years then you would have to observe that it does feel somewhat like a boat without a captain.

 Meanwhile on the Peninsula, 250cm x 160cm, Painted Steel, 2012

  Meanwhile on the Peninsula (detail), 250cm x 160cm, Painted Steel, 2012

  Meanwhile on the Peninsula (detail), 250cm x 160cm, Painted Steel, 2012

 Meanwhile on the Peninsula (detail), 250cm x 160cm, Painted Steel, 2012

Friendly neighborhood Butanero