Pablo Griss

Pablo Griss current work comes from a powerful expressionism closely related to his personal experiences in which very few elements create a discourse. Based on the symbolic essence of each element multiplied exponentially Griss generates a concrete message focused mostly in the pictoric qualities while exploring the possibilities of the materials. There, in the experimenting of the symbolic potential of the matter and in his quest for a semiotic balance generated with minimal elements in his SVS series, Griss moves towards a work that becomes consciously and intuitively abstract. Further in this process he pulls apart from the conventions and uses the intrinsic qualities of the matter and color transforming spaces with abstract elements, strokes, and lines. The result is a visual composition suggested by the artist but generated by the observer in Flatlines. Intervention, is a series where angles, hard edges, lines, bright colors and rhombi dominate the surface resulting in pure geometrical abstraction. With the purpose of exploring painting’s limits from the very act of conceiving these images, simplicity becomes ambiguous, the static gives way to movement and canvases become multidimensional spaces with very high technical rigueur. This work focuses on visual constructions of conceptual geometry, not mere optical illusions; although negative spaces are fundamental, they become elusive when tension generates vibrations.

Taking a step forward, in his most recent series: BlackGold he elevates the abstract and geometric to the same level of symbolism he showed in his expressionist works. An ever-changing background of gold leaf provides depth and atmosphere to this complex investigation of negative spaces. Using one of the world’s most emblematic elements: Gold. As a contemporary art alchemist, he transforms this material relying on the contrast of black paint over gold leaf turning it into an intimate experience. Gold is related to power and nobility in ancient oriental traditions, while pre-Hispanic cultures related it to the sun and its divinity; nowadays it is highly regarded because of its aesthetic and economic value. In any case this material and its characteristics has always captured human interest and attention allowing it different meanings and values. In BlackGold the intangible properties of gold are used to bring out personal interpretations.

PABLO GRISS: (b. 1971 Caracas, Venezuela) graduated from Columbia University, School of Visual Arts (1996) in New York, where he lived and worked until 1998.  He currently works from his studios in Berlin and in Panama City.  Griss has participated in several group and solo exhibitions in U.S.A, Europe and Latin America. Recently his series Intervention was first introduced during ArtBo ’13 sharing exhibiting space with well known Neo Geo artist Peter Halley; during this art fair his work was featured as cover for the digital version of Art in America Magazine. In 2014, BlackGold celebrated great success in DGAG Panama. Griss currently lives and works in Berlin, Germany and most recently was included in '100 Painters of Tomorrow' authored by Kurt Beers and published by Thames & Hudson.