Description
This chromoxylography print by Adrián Arguedas conjures the spirit of masquerade, a popular reference in Costa Rican culture. This print explores masked identity, contemplating the complexities of human expression and concealment.
Through intricate line work and subtle colouration, Arguedas pulls viewers into a world where identities blur and mysteries unfold. The composition evokes a sense of intrigue and fascination, reflecting on themes of anonymity, transformation, and the hidden self.
Arguedas’ concern for the spirit of masquerade derived from his hometown of Barva de Heredia, near San José, a place known for its mask parades. Through the theme of masks and identity, Arguedas plays with the balance of contrasts, referencing dichotomies such as life vs death, tall vs small, and beauty vs ugliness. In addition, the juxtaposition between the playful and the violent is a central theme, driven by an undercurrent of parody that imparts a critical dimension to his canvases, and reveals a marked European influence from artists such as Pieter Brueghel, Hieronymus Bosch and Edward Hopper.
Shipping: This artwork will be rolled for shipment.
