The main subject matter of my work is controlling compulsion and desire possession of humankind. My interests are these human psychological facets in its pure and primitive states.

My characters are inspired in power and authority images of different ancient civilizations and Art History periods. Among them, there are Byzantine personages, Gothic and Renaissance Madonna’s. Also, I select hieratical characteristics from North and Latin American popular art images. Moreover, I reference unknown characters in photographs of late 19th and early 20th centuries. Because I maintain a fascination for smooth surfaces of Classical and Flemish paintings, I prefer oil technique in order to develop my work, in which I always pursue detail. All of these sources nurture my work, and they help me to reinvent a surreal and timeless atmosphere.

I use symbols like birds in order to depict liberty and freewill. I also portray other animals, such as the cat or the fox, corresponding to the characterization of depredation instinct. Personages’ brilliant eyes represent ambition and present pollution. A heart in a cage symbolizes passion an other repressed emotions. Cages by itself evoke trap desires and shortages. A switch refers to technology and our contemporary time. Exploited trees represent massive production and consumerism culture surroundings.  Open interpretations of all of these symbols may establish new associations and meanings by viewers.


- Rubén Silhy

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