By Angela Romeo
When an artist statement is a photo of a mouth unable to speak, one knows they are about to experience something unique. Outside the Box – Post Orwellian Reality is the latest work from Artist Eduardo Carriazo.
Eduardo is a U.S. citizen born in Cali, Colombia. In 1996, he completed a dual master’s degree in Molecular and Marine Biology at the University of Southern California. He also created the scientific illustrations for the USC biology laboratory manuals. After working for ten years in research and later as a graphic designer and scientific illustrator at the Integrated Media Systems Center at USC, Eduardo returned to school to complete his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts at the Florida State University.
His work has never been for the faint of heart. The power of art and the responsibility of an artist to comment on the world is a responsibility Eduardo takes seriously. At a time when the world seems to have slipped into the surreal, Eduardo has captured, in the series of ceramic work, the madness of the latest world order. The 16 pieces challenge the viewer to face our past as our future.
“The work is also a journey of artistic styles. From realism to surrealism each piece is a moment in time and in art,” noted Eduardo. “My work is made for reaction. That is the goal. Complacency is not acceptable.”
Unafraid and articulate Eduardo takes on the pressing issues of today. “On June 11, 2016, Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and wounded 53 others. The killings senseless and tragic had an effect on many people, including myself. I created the piece Orlando to keep the memory of that event alive and to ensure those lost are not forgotten. The piece is adorned with 49 butterflies, giving scale to the innocent who died. I have been told that for some the piece is beautiful yet disturbing. That is ok – it means only that the work has touched that nerve of humanity.”
Merikkka was created before the results of the presidential election were known. The jack in the box bears more than a striking resemblance to the current president. It sits upon a brick wall topped with razor wire. “As an immigrant to this country I am concerned about the xenophobic attitude growing in the US. It is no mistake that there are the K’s in title. Hate is not an American value.”
The stark beauty of the work cannot be denied. The exhibition, Outside the Box – Post Orwellian Reality, is at Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery, 68895 Perez Road, I-13, Cathedral City.
For more information about Eduardo Carriazo visit www.Eduardoartstudio2014.com.
For more information about Colliding Worlds Fine Art Gallery visit www.collidingworldsfineart.com
