“Small DIC tator” Text by Angelica Oriol

“The “Small DIC tator ”

This is one of the paintings in “Are We Dancing with A Madman?” series by artist Eriberto Oriol.

The “Small DIC tator ” painting reminds me of how throughout history we have seen insecurities, fears and the insatiable greed dictate violence and hate on people who possessed the wealth that the Empire wanted. Resources such as the land, its’ people, oil, minerals, diamonds, and water have often been a threat to the peace and sovereignty of that country.

Eriberto does not try to paint work that deals with social issues and does not care to find meaning in his work. However, it is through our conversations that my writings emerge. It makes me wonder if in a “redactive” world, would there be room for artists such as Alfredo Siqueiros with his mural “America Tropical,” Goya’s “Los Caprichos,” or for other artists that encourage a public dialogue of our collective consciousness?

As artists, we often see what others do not see.  For some, our journey is a quest for a moral life and social change. The dream is to be able to tell the TRUTH, use our creativity and imaginations to take us beyond the basic purpose of art; forge a new pathway for a world that would be about human kindness, caring, sharing and to create a world that never was.

Save these DATES: June 14 and June 28, 2019