VISIONS OF ETERNAL GROWTH // VISIONES DE LO QUE CRECE SIN FIN
Solo show by Clara Rival
Opening 15.12.2022 -19h • on view until February 2023
Vibrant natures conquer environments that originate from the intersection of Clara Rival's (Argentina, 1986) memories and visions. In her paintings, lush plants envelope fragments of richly decorated structures and buildings, evoking classical architecture and its evolution to the present day.
It is inevitable to see a link between Clara's work and the infinite Rome of Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-1788). In his depictions, the artist and architect reflects the decadent grandeur of ancient monuments, transformed by the passage of time and their appropriation by ceaselessly growing nature.
VISIONS OF ETERNAL GROWTH alludes to these spaces that caress the past and at the same time create new universes. Painted sceneries in which our view is always framed and segmented by leaves, as to obscure part of the oasis Rival shows us. The discovery of places in which to thrive, from where to glean knowledge, is central to Rival's visual journey, but each discovery is only a temporary station. Her path never ends.
To Rival, it is important to invoke the rare moments in which our perception is tuned to seeing attentively and appreciating the wondersome phenomena the universe presents us with. Getting to these states of vision is like walking through a forest, a jungle, and glimpsing at a conspicuous point in the rear, understanding that you have arrived at a vista you will never pass again. Parts always remain hidden while everything continues to evolve. And the moment of epiphany never lasts. But this short glimpse of meaning is enough to make you go on ... in search of other singular unique moments in which you feel connected to knowledge and beauty. "I'm looking for a place, when I find it I'll look for another" says Clara Rival. Her paintings are re-collections of these places and moments, visions of eternal growth.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Clara Rival was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1986). She studied Visual Arts with a focus on painting and drawing (UNA, 2009-2015). At the same time, she studied painting with Luis Fernández and Federico Taboada. She did a period of review with Silvana Lacarra (2014-2016). In 2017 she moved to Mexico to do an art residency at Casa Rosa, Oaxaca. Since then, she has lived from time to time in different places, trying to be always on the move. In recent years she has lived between France and Mexico. She currently resides in Barcelona and has her studio at La Clandestina in Poblenou. She is represented by Galería Praxis (Argentina) and Pop Up Hosting Art Gallery (France). Recent exhibitions include solo presentation at Kokonati, San Francisco (Mexico), a group exhibition at Bricklane Gallery, London (UK), and a participation in The Other Art Fair, Brooklyn (US).
