28/Sep/2004

MARGARITA CHECA’S DOORS OF PERCEPTION

THE QUALITY OF WOOD
Let’s put it simple: there is a still ingredient in the style, in the curves, in the generous form – in the work of the sculptor Margarita Checa – that makes us ponder over the development of life. A frequency in this exhibition of couples, of animals that at a certain point she blends into one single being.

MARGARITA CHECA’S TREE

Her volumes move or join together into the rhythm of a waving movement. Never before her sculptures welcome to this unstoppable walk around them that incite to the accomplished work beyond an inner vitality that subjugates and imposes the turn. Therefore, she also eludes superfluous and baroque details, and its deformities. Without putting aside naturalism, she responds to the necessity of full balance. Every form that is modified to get the effect that the general line puts forward – gets solely dignified if it shows its aesthetic need. This is precisely her case, even when she uses marble and bronze, Margarita prefers the tree because she finds wood more noble to reproduce the human silhouette and animals, due to its condition of gifted material, versatility – not for this reason it turns out to be easy -, and its tenderness that may imply a living organism, suitable to go through art’s life or blood that should make them seem alive. On the other hand, the slow process of wood carving makes it possible for her to see and discover the organic life that she is creating in spite of the lack of movement and apparent death.

Picture
Lengthened Nudes made of bronze

THE DOORS OF PERCEPTION
The unmistakable sensitivity of the sculptor that neatly measures the forms in space opens depths, shapes curves, and cuts out straight lines with the pleasure of someone who moulds clay or sculpts hard wood. She composes through wide rhythms. One can notice her analogous attempt over the last years; her attempt to speaking through mass, volumes, angles, cavities; layers whose thickness gradually increase. It is the pleasure of carving a consistent and tough material. Nevertheless, the syntax remains faithful to the color itself revealing a clear sensitivity, and following a precise structural intention.
The material is nothing but a rhythmic support intended to highlight – in accordance with its particular expressiveness – the basic lines of space. A master piece such as The Doors of Perception (6,80 x 3,60 ft) is already impressive for its size. One can not resist the temptation of penetrating its inner space and take its deep rhythms where the structure of the silhouette turns out to be unified from inside. In spite of the geometrical forms, the shields, the balance / swaying of the filled spaces and voids, it presents the movement of light and shadow thanks to the inlays of bullhorn and silver. This version is one of the most cheerful due to the sensual plasticity of the material into form.

LONG AND NUDE
The lengthened nudes – of vibrating surface by light effects – are a metaphor inspired on the everlasting vital lymph of nature. The simplified volumes of the ‘Eternal Circle’ sculpture, the open and shining surfaces where the head of the young lady suggests a tender, natural human image, easy to recognize for its delicate modulations. The rhythmic continuity of this lengthened nude of vibrating surface thanks to the color effects, bullhorn inlays, and silver plaques / plates on the circle that the young woman puts her feet on.

Margarita Checa’s work has reached its truly direction / dimension.

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