Week 4: I choose Patssi Valdez and Margarita Cabrera

    I was stricken by the realism of Margarita Cabrera’s hummer sculpture (realism in the sense that it conveys real topics, not its production value). I did not expect that it would be so shocking to look at at first glance, but when I really examined it and learned the context of the piece I grew fascinated. I think that’s the point of art though—to make objects or artworks that resound within the viewer and invite him or her back to keep examining the object. I think what was shocking was the attention to detail versus the amount of effort to keep the sculpture erect. I mean, it is erect but it has more of a melted appearance akin to a Dali painting. Overall the sculpture seems surreal and I like that!

    Another artist that grabbed my attention was Pattsi Valdez with her current paintings. They remind me of scientific illustrations but also the surrealism of dreams. I feel like the mixture speaks about the ability of Chicana artists to enter the realm of both surrealism and science. Not in a literal sense, but in a yeah-if-I-wanted-to I could kind of way. Anyways, as a painter I really loved the attention to detail in her painting and the meticulous nature of the color choices in the sense that they’re all so precise to the piece and are purposeful to illustrating her point.