In an almost Herculean effort, María Vargas Aguilar takes on the important struggles of our times, such as genocide, climate crisis, and intergenerational trauma, and creates a painting that appears strikingly serene and beautiful. Despite the uplifting color washes, the frame-like plaster, plastic, and wood structures seem to act as a damper or a silencer of some sort. Questions of durability are posed, bringing up issues of pollution, survival, and legacy. María’s family history and the Guatemalan Dirty War linger in this painting, sometimes in the most unexpected ways.
Untitled, 2021
Acrylic, oil, and plaster on canvas with plastic and wood frame
36" x 36" / 91,4 cm x 91,4 cm
