Opening Reception: Learning To Fly – Charity Romero
Romero has taken her sculpture to a new level. Her show in 2008 contained pieces that were made over a period of more than a year. Although the work contained a consistent thread and vitality her latest work has gone beyond last year’s show.
Learning to Fly is comprised of work made in the last three months. Romero immersed herself in her studio and forbade all things except the engagement of art making. This past year she suffered through the rush of emotions from the multiple deaths of friends and upheaval in her personal life. This work is clearly a direct connection with the swell of emotions and sentiments she has been experiencing. Her relationship with clay and found images, that she incorporates in her work, has taken a quantum leap to a new level.
She chose to go beyond individual pieces and created sculpture as installation. Each work stands on its own in addition to being a critical piece of the world she has created in the gallery.
Brilliantly executed!
Unless you were in a coma when the Abu Graib story broke you most likely have seen images of Colombian artist Fernando Botero’s Abu Graib painting series. Botero is a fine art icon. His work of plump figures is recognized the world over by savvy art afficionados and equally recognized by the laymen. However as much as mainstream society would recognize his paintings of unusually portly people they more than likely would not be able to attach his name to the work. Most who do know his work would never have thought in a million years that he would be making paintings of torture that push a political pressure point in American society. Botero has risen to approach topics that many artist of his caliber would not touch. It is not often that you have the opportunity to see a master make the same artistic challenges of that of the youth. Many galleries refused to show his work and the Berkeley show is the first venue to show them in their entirety. This is a rare moment don’t miss your chance. Below is a conversation with Botero at Berkeley.