“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

 

 

 

 

 

“They’re There for The Taking” painting by Eriberto Oriol

“They’re There for The Taking” is one of the social commentaries paintings in “Are We Dancing with A Madman?” series by artist Eriberto Oriol.

While women have much to contribute, for the most part, global societies have assigned restrictive roles that limit their potential. In this metaphorical painting, the artist is being brutally honest in questioning the predator/prey type relationship.

The furry body emphasizes how women are viewed as an animal and are subject to the hunt whether they like it or not.

The insect-like image symbolizes the pest that means to destroy or harm. Is this a hopelessness human behavior of a patriarchal world? Can we get over the repugnance correlation of women like animals in the food chain?

Artist Edgar Degas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” If this painting facilitates a discussion that acknowledges this behavior, maybe we can empower ourselves and make plans to stand differently in this world.

Save these DATES:

June 14 and June 28, 2019

“Cruzando LA Fontera/Crossing the Border” by artist Eriberto Oriol

“Cruzando LA Fontera/Crossing the Border” is one of the social commentaries paintings in “Are we dancing with a Madman?” series by artist Eriberto Oriol.

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For most people, crossing the border may be as simple as walking or driving across, however for an undocumented woman with little or no resources, it can be a treacherous journey.

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In this painting, the woman’s body has no arms or feet that maybe speak to the vulnerability and mutilation women around the world face in overcoming barriers not just in crossing borders. The textured body shows cuts and scratches that seem to emphasize the strenuous violent efforts she faces in this most difficult situation.

The image of a nopal/cactus with nails protruding on her crouch offers an interesting dichotomy. On one hand, the cactus represents strength, however in the same way as the cactus has thorns to protect the plant, maybe this type of armor could protect a woman from being raped. The roots from the cactus magnify how women are often uprooted by war, poverty, and violence.

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For Eriberto, the red-earth color face represents fertility and women’s bond with the earth. The woman’s beautiful stylized braids may also symbolize the rich cultures that these women usually represent. The stepladder is not only helping her to get over the barrier but it may also communicate a cry for help? The stark white background makes the issue very clear.

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Eriberto does not set out to paint these images or themes; he just gets in his creative zone and allows his characters to emerge. He realizes that by tapping into his creativity zone, it deepens the mystery and the magic in his art.

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Text by Angelica Oriol

War Baby painting in “Dancing with a Madman Series” artist Eriberto Oriol

War Baby, is a painting that depicts the atrocities of the war in a similar way as Francisco Siqueiros painting “The Echo of a Scream;” both paintings talk about the pain and horror of war.  The dark nightmarish colors and hollow eyes of the naked child show the despair and fear of being all alone, vulnerable to abuse and an uncertain future without hope.  It is a common dehumanizing timeless theme of war that speaks of inevitable pain, suffering, and intense sorrow.

 

 

Children are wars greatest victims and this bold painting seems to have captured the horrific grief and misery of war.  For an artist like Eriberto, trying to make sense of war is like the madness of “Dancing with a Mad Man.”  Is it time to make radical changes in our thinking? The implications for humanity are catastrophically alarming.

 

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power and the screams of victims and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten.

 

 

Are we dancing with a Madman? – Perros painting by artist Eriberto Oriol

“Perros” is one of the social commentary paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.

In this painting, “Perros” Eriberto is not talking about the furry animals some call best friends nor would he insult these creatures to have the character traits that these dogs symbolized in this painting.

Puppies, chicks, and babies in general, are not born knowing how to hate or how to be violent. They are not just operating out of instinct, they are taught to be violent. However, these animals have been used as vicious weapons for mass destruction and brutal cruelty throughout history around the world. “The Dogs of the Conquest” by John Grier Varner and Jeannette Johnson Varner is just one of the stories of the horrific acts of cruelty and violence committed on those who had the resources the empire wanted.

The human-like faces in this painting seem to be communicating haunting moments of human life with a sort of an apocalyptic flare that is defiant and yet provoking.

In this painting, the spots just like in the cheetah distract their prey and camouflage them so they can blend or hide; the spots on the dogs in this image seem to represent the mask of camouflage of individuals who try to conceal their dominance and violence over their prey.

I think when artists discuss these dark moments it is because they see a giant alarm screaming what is blatantly oblivious. However, for some, this violence is invisible. All around the world, brutal violence is occurring because the empire wants the indigenous people’s resources and their land. Maybe this is the viciousness that the “Perros” painting is trying to communicate.

Humanity has been bestowed with the greatest gift of all time, imagination, for it has the power to change the world. For Eriberto, the dream is that the skies would get bluer, birds would start to sing again, and the glaciers would stop melting. In Spanish we say, “El Sueno del artista, es que el cielo se vuelva mas azul, los pajaros comienzen a cantar de nuevo, y los glaciares dejen de derretirese.

Text by Angelica Oriol

Are we dancing with a Madman? “Immortal” panting by artist Eriberto Oriol

“Immortal” is one of the social commentary paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.

They say that every picture has a story; this is definitely true for Eriberto’s work. For him, mythology has become a way to help make sense of his world. Breasts and penises are common themes in mythology and also in Eriberto’s artwork, but he does not use them as phallic symbols. In this painting, he is using the penises as symbols of power. In a society where many seek to immortalize themselves through physical monuments, it is perhaps why some skyscrapers broadly resemble and represent the penis, so do rockets, bullets, missiles, and memorialized monuments.

For artists, the journey to find oneself and to be true to their art is often a lonely one. It is a journey that at times is not by choice, however, it is sometimes necessary for an artist. Eriberto often finds that his characters, although not always obvious, often seem to reflect haunting moments of human life that resonate with the fears and emotions most people experience. Georgia O’Keeffe once said, “To create one’s own world in any of the arts takes courage.”

It has been said that art is not what you see but what it makes you see. An artist’s journey can be bewildering; they do not often know its origin or meaning. However, as in this painting, when artists use their imagination as a source of genius, it deepens the mystery and the magic in art.

Eriberto knows that to become truly immortal, one must face their basic fears, imagine the unimaginable and in that way, they will live forever through believing in their own genius and in the magic of imagination.

Text by Angelica Oriol

Are we dancing with a Madman?

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power, the screams of the victim and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten. “The Rage of Power” is one of the social commentaries paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.
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When I first saw this painting it made me think of the main character’s rage and how women have been more vulnerable in war, politics, and power just because they have a pussy, at least this is my interpretation.

Of course, this is not what this artist set out to paint; his images come from his creative zone that he allows to take charge and he just paints. In this powerful painting, the image speaks of the rage of power with an abrasive grab that symbolizes dominance and violence.
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He uses the color pink to tease the viewer into arousal and maybe to emphasize the power that these images represent. Eriberto knows that since the beginning of time, people with power and money have had a significant impact on society when they have allowed their greed and insecurity to get the best of them.
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Through his paintings, Eriberto is helping us see what others at times do not see. He allows the creativity of his imagination to be seen in his work. Historically that is what artists have done.
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Artists such as Francisco Goya’s etchings “Los Caprichos” and Pablo Picasso’s with “Guernica” documented some of the cruel and inhuman events of the war, greed, and power. Some felt that these bizarre paintings were a sign of madness, completely off the wall because they were different from everyone else’s. I would argue that these artists were really in tune with the creative force of the universe.
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SAVE THIS DATE: June 14, 2019
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Photos and text by Angelica Oriol

Are we dancing with a Madman?

 

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power, the screams of the victim and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten.

“The Rage of Power” is one of the social commentaries paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.

Through his paintings, Eriberto is helping us see what others at times do not see. He allows the creativity of his imagination to be seen in his work. Historically that is what artists have done.

Artists such as Francisco Goya’s etchings “Los Caprichos” and Pablo Picasso’s with “Guernica” documented some of the cruel and inhuman events of the war, greed, and power. Some felt that these bizarre paintings were a sign of madness, completely off the wall because they were different from everyone else’s. I would argue that these artists were really in tune with the creative force of the universe.

SAVE THIS DATE: June 14, 2019

Photos and text by Angelica Oriol

Are we dancing with a Madman?

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power, screams of victims and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten.

“The Rage of Power” is one of the social commentaries paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol. more text below

 

Rage of Power by Eriberto Oriol

 

When I first saw this painting it made me think of the main character’s rage and how women have been more vulnerable in war, politics, and power just because they have a pussy, at least this is my interpretation.

Of course, this is not what this artist set out to paint; his images come from his creative zone that he allows to take charge and he just paints. In this powerful painting, the image speaks of the rage of power with an abrasive grab that symbolizes dominance and violence.

He uses the color pink to tease the viewer into arousal and maybe to emphasize the power that these images represent. Eriberto knows that since the beginning of time, people with power and money have had a significant impact on society when they have allowed their greed and insecurity to get the best of them.

Through his paintings, Eriberto is helping us see what others at times do not see. He allows the creativity of his imagination to be seen in his work. Historically that is what artists have done.

Artists such as Francisco Goya’s etchings “Los Caprichos” and Pablo Picasso’s with “Guernica” documented some of the cruel and inhuman events of the war, greed, and power. Some felt that these bizarre paintings were a sign of madness, completely off the wall because they were different from everyone else’s. I would argue that these artists were really in tune with the creative force of the universe.

SAVE THIS DATE: June 14, 2019

Text by Angelica Oriol

CANCER: Stage 4

 

In this artwork, artist Eriberto Oriol captured the intense emotions that I was going through at the time when I found out that I had breast cancer. Nothing prepares one for moments like these.

This was back in August 1994. I kept asking myself questions like, “What did I do to get this cancer? What do I do now? Why me?”

I remembered a therapist saying to me, “Angelica get a hold of yourself, the fear of cancer will kill you sooner than cancer.” I said to myself, “That is easy for her to say.” But she was right.

They say that some of the most powerful works of art emerge from an artist’s darkest moments. In this piece, you can see the strength in Eriberto’s art.

 

 

He was able to capture the intensity of emotions and sheer determination to live in those eyes – all my emotions are on and running!

In much of Eriberto’s work, it is in his characters that seem to reflect haunting moments of human life that resonate the fears and emotions most experience.

His work also shows the strength, tenacity, and integrity of his character as a human being and as an artist.

Photo and text by Angelica
Artwork mixed media by Eriberto Oriol

* For more details on of some of his accomplishments, samples of Eriberto’s painting and list of art collectors GO TO ABOUT in ForbiddenArtLA.com.