As Trump and his sad brigade get going depressingly far right in the US, it’s wonderful to find that an artist, Ana Pallares, is creating colourful, independent and dynamic paintings at the inspiring Hundred Years Gallery. This gallery is a unique beacon for artists’ voices in London.
Above is an example of a painting in progress by Ana Pallares: full of humour, dynamic colour contrasts and an immediate address to the viewer. I came across it as Ana was about to take a break from working on the painting, in the quiet of the basement exhibition space. (scroll down for more)
I told Ana that I often like work at an early stage, as it can have the vigor of the first impression evoked by a sketch. And when we look at her work (www.instagram.com/anapallaresart) we not only engage with the characters she has painted, who look at us directly, but as a result, we are also engaged to look at ourselves and to consider our attitude to that character in the painting, in this particular case, a rat.
Text is a fundamental part of Ana’s work, and here it is also evident that the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat and his work are a significant source of inspiration, but not in any simple imitative way - a provocative and individual sense of humour is key in the lively and energetic paintings of Ana Pallares.
As well as presenting a wide spectrum of new work in the visual arts, the Hundred Years Gallery hosts a lively programme of improvised and composed music, films, discussions, photography, together with a convivial café.
Above is an example of a painting in progress by Ana Pallares: full of humour, dynamic colour contrasts and an immediate address to the viewer. I came across it as Ana was about to take a break from working on the painting, in the quiet of the basement exhibition space. (scroll down for more)
I told Ana that I often like work at an early stage, as it can have the vigor of the first impression evoked by a sketch. And when we look at her work (www.instagram.com/anapallaresart) we not only engage with the characters she has painted, who look at us directly, but as a result, we are also engaged to look at ourselves and to consider our attitude to that character in the painting, in this particular case, a rat.
Text is a fundamental part of Ana’s work, and here it is also evident that the painter Jean-Michel Basquiat and his work are a significant source of inspiration, but not in any simple imitative way - a provocative and individual sense of humour is key in the lively and energetic paintings of Ana Pallares.
As well as presenting a wide spectrum of new work in the visual arts, the Hundred Years Gallery hosts a lively programme of improvised and composed music, films, discussions, photography, together with a convivial café.