RAUL DIAZ
RAUL DIAZ Selected
Works
October 6 - November 12, 2017
Opening Friday, October 6th 6:00-8:00PM
Earlier this year, I ew down to Charlotte, NC for two spring exhibitions, “The Wyeths: Three Generations” at the Mint Museum, and “The Wyeth Family” at Jerald Melberg Gallery. Over the last thirty years, Jerald Melberg has shown a dedication to enlivening Charlotte’s Contemporary Art scene by showing premier contemporary artists, as well as representing estates of Modern Masters, such as Romare Bearden and Robert Motherwell. Before introducing me to the best BBQ in Charlotte, we dove into the racks of his gallery. As we pulled out piece after piece from his massive collection, one artist’s works stuck with me the most – the carved and painted wood reliefs of Raul Diaz.
The carved wooden panels by Diaz reminded me of woodcut relief printing blocks. I’ve taken up the practice of woodcut printmaking with the encouragement of my friend John Thompson, Professor of Printmaking at MassArt. It’s tough work. I throw my whole body into carving a little plank of wood, fastidiously avoiding splinters and patiently trying to be consistent with my approach to each stroke of my knife. I nd it very therapeutic after a rough day. I’m releasing energy while maintaining a precise focus on the overall composition. I imagine that Raul Diaz must feel a similar exertion as he produces his compositions, which are on a much grander scale than my little 10 x 8 inch wood blocks.
The time and work-intensive process of Diaz’s bas-reliefs reveals an interesting duality: strenuous effort and a cool serenity, both felt in his nal composition. Through the woodchips that the artist splinters off, he uncovers a quiet subject matter that is further calmed by a muted paint palette. The static gures among sullen boats create a meditative atmosphere. In these dreamlike depictions, the viewer can re ect on their own life. The paddle-less boats; empty and idle vehicles without a conductor, oat on still water. This reoccurring symbol in Diaz’s oeuvre may represent life’s voyage, and the balance between effort and re ection required to move forward. Moments of serenity often follow periods of intensity, exempli ed poetically in the artist’s course of creation.
We are excited to open the exhibition of Selected Works by Raul Diaz at Adelson Galleries Boston as we celebrate our 5-year anniversary!
Adam Adelson Director4
image La Red, 2014, detail
6
Blanco Sobre Blanco, 2014
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
19 x 27 inches
8
Untitlted, 2011
Mixed Media on Wood Panel 28 1/4 x 22 inches
53 x 67 inches
10
Neblina, 2014-16
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
12
La Red, 2014
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
39 x 51 inches
14
Damero, 2011
Mixed Media on Wood Panel 22 x 28 1/4 inches
16
La Bruma, 2013
36
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
x 40 inches
18
7 Botes, 2008
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
35 x 47 inches
20
Dos Figuras, 2011
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
44 x 33 1/2 inches
Near Unquillo,
22
2016
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
56 x 75 inches
24
Atardecer, 2014
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
38 x 47 inches
26
La Nube, 2014
Mixed Media on Wood Panel 39 x 51 inches
28
La Casa Azul, 2008
Mixed Media on Wood Panel 51 1/2 x 63 1/8 inches
30
Paisaje, 2016
Mixed Media on Wood Panel
28 1/8 x 39 inches
Checklist
32 Blanco Sobre Blanco Neblina La Red La Bruma 7 Botes Near Unquillo Atardecer La Nube 6 10 12 16 18 22 24 26 9,400 35,000 23,000 19,800 SOLD 37,000 23,000 23,000
La Casa Azul 28 33,000 Damero 14 9,400 Dos Figuras 20 19,800 Paisaje 30 15,800 Untitled 8 9,400