Crazy Sauce / Salsa Loca series of new works by artist Eriberto Oriol

Text by Angelica Oriol

“What is Going on?” is part of the Crazy Sauce / Salsa Loca is a series of new works by artist Eriberto Oriol. He sees being an artist as a privilege to be able to express the magic of his imagination through his work.

The beauty of this series is the spontaneity and freedom he expresses in his stokes and color pallet. The characters seem to reflect the bewilderment of the incoherent madness of events that are part of our contemporary life in a world of politics, economics and environmental crisis.

Crazy Sauce / Salsa Loca is a series of new works by artist Eriberto Oriol.

The dream is to be able, to tell the TRUTH, and allow the use of our creativity and imagination to take us beyond and forge a new pathway for the world that is about human kindness, caring, sharing and creating a world that never was before.

 

ForbiddenArtLA.com

 

 

Julie Rico Art Review on artist Eriberto Oriol

Eriberto is a Los Angeles based painter he creates work with a Latin world ethos. A confluence of European and Indigenous Indian cultures.

The term “Cosmic Race”, is brought to mind in this work, coined by Jose Vasconcelos a Mexican philosopher. Vasconcelos believed that nationality and race is transcended by Latin Americans with their Asian-descended native Americans, European and African heritage. You can see in Oriol’s work the same kind of merging of cultures.

 

Dante’s Inferno painting by Eriberto Oriol

 

Oriol provides us a reflection of the indigenous dream like state. The dreams that brought wisdom and guidance to the tribe were achieved with the ceremonial use of alkaloids such as Peyote or Ayahuasca. The skillful interpretation that Mr. Oriol achieves in his work reflects the forces of the universe as it affects our collective journey into the unconscious. At the same time the colors the painting techniques emphasize European influences.

The work is not easy. Like Picasso’s Guernica that shows the tragedy of war. The internal struggle is what is emphasized in Mr. Oriol’s work. We feel the power we have within ourselves with this work.

Many of the works are clearly phallic. Just prior to the sexual revolution in the 60’s and 70’s American art was overly affected by Christian values of the Puritans. The phallus was usually hidden not exposed as in Mr. Oriol’s paintings. The sexual revolution allowed the phallus to show up in sculptures and other contemporary art. Look at work by Louise Bourgeois and Andy Warhol. Surely, this affected Mr. Oriol a product of that time.

But let’s go back even further to pre-Columbian times where we see references to the phallus as an important cultural icon to the indigenous populations all over the world. The influences of pre-Columbian art cannot be denied in this work. The paintings are not always pleasant. They are; however, wondrous and terrifying and beautiful portraying dream likes states of mind.

As was the intention of the Indigenous their dreams were meant to help the community at large. It is the same with Mr. Oriol’s work. He may want us to see the hidden power of our animal nature. As witnesses to our hidden power in the paintings, will we be overcome the angst, the sometimes powerlessness we feel in our daily lives. The power of the phallus is in our DNA, we cannot separate ourselves from our animal nature. Contemplation is key to our understanding of our place here in the world. Mr. Oriol’s paintings help us see an inner world.

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Julie Rico is an artmuse and has had her own galleries representing many artists including:  Jean Jacques Bastarache, Salomon Huerta, Treiops, Ed Big Daddy Roth, Stanley Mouse, Bill Plympton, Lama Lhanang, Mark Bryan, Dennis Larkins, Craig Stecyk, Robert Williams, Patssi Valdez, Diane Gamboa, Timothy Leary, Michael McMillan, Kai Bob Cheng, Ray Zone, Von Dutch, Einar and Jamex de la Torre, Brian Tortora and about 100 or more artists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“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

Are we dancing with a Madman? “Immortal” painting

“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

Are we DANCING with a MAD MAN?

This artwork “HAPPY HOUR in DANTE’s INFERNO” by Eriberto Oriol

Eriberto has been activist for a long time and when the social political climate seems like “We are Dancing with a Mad Man” what does a series artist do? 

It is said, “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write if he is to be at peace with himself.” Abraham Maslow

For Eriberto, he must paint.

 

It takes courage to walk through the unbeaten path, especially in a society full of noisy distractions. For Eriberto that is his challenge. How does he use his ingenuity in looking at the world and continue to stay committed to creating his art?

So if you have a passion for art and are wide eye looking for something extraordinary, visit his BLOG ForbiddenArtLA.com. to see more of Eriberto’s artwork.

Photo and text by Angelica

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

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.