From the Press Release of the Exhibition:
Generally, the naïve art of Central and South America is closely associated with Mother Earth, Mother Nature, field workers and village life, and is inspired by indigenous mythology, mysticism, culture and tradition, with ethnic and folkloristic themes predominating. However, as will be evident from the artworks included in this catalogue and comprising this exhibition, the naïve art of Brazil and Argentina differ greatly from one another, and it is interesting to analyze the reasons for these differences.
…The Naïve Art of Brazil
Brazilian naïve art conjures up images of lush landscapes shimmering with tropical colors, awesome rain forests brimming with a feast of flora and fauna, the beat of the bossa nova, and the rhythmic rituals of Candomblé. Daily events and seasonal celebrations appear with idealized simplicity and child-like innocence. Field work becomes a paean to the Common Man; river fishing an ode to Nature; percussive music a throb of thanks to the Spirits.
In the words of Jacques Ardies, the noted naïve art gallery owner and author:
“Brazilian naïve art is epitomized by enormous contrasts, which arise, in the main, from the intermingling…of many different cultures – such as European, African and Indian – from all over the world.….Brazilians are naturally happy, spontaneous and creative, and are uninhibited in expressing their emotions, and these traits, along with all of the youthful dynamism of the original movement, are still being reflected in the naïve artworks produced today.”
The contrasts mentioned above are clearly reflected in the works of the artists whose works … grace the walls of GINA Gallery during the current exhibition.
The Naïve Art of Argentina
The naivism of Argentina defies simple categorization. The country’s native customs and traditions have never had the dramatic impact upon the local naïve artists as the Indian and African cultures have had on their fellow artists to the north. Instead, the waves of immigration to Argentina – in particular from Europe – during the past two centuries, and the resultant melding of European and other customs and traditions with those of the indigenous population, have had a major impact upon the life, character and morés of the people, as well as upon the country’s art, architecture, music and literature.
These influences are seen, quite clearly, in the works of the Argentine naives, which depict, in heartwarming colors and detail, the resonance of the city (particularly Buenos Aires, “the Paris of South America”), the beat of the tango, the pulse of the pampas, the swagger of the gauchos and the silent beauty of Patagonia.
