Opening reception: November 14, 2024
Location: 195 Chrystie Street, NYC 10002
Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 am – 6 pm, Saturday 12-5 pm & Sunday by appointment
Contact: caroline@voltzclarke.com | 917.292.6921
Press Release
Voltz Clarke Gallery is pleased to present Aurora, a solo exhibition, by Maru Quiñonero.
Maru Quiñonero is a Madrid-based artist whose work is informed by her encounters with synesthesia–– a perceptual phenomenon involving an involuntary blend of the senses. Her unique sensory experiences enrich her artistic expression, enabling her to translate perceptions into vibrant visual forms. While her work may appear simple at first glance, the canvases reveal a subtle intricacy of detail displayed in pencil strokes and layered paint.
This series of paintings bear witness to Quiñonero’s unwavering passion for exploring color. In Aurora, Quiñonero turns to a rich palette of blues, drawing inspiration from the brilliant skies she admires on daily walks with her dogs. Each canvas resonates with the hues of dawn and dusk, capturing the ephemeral beauty of the Madrid skyline. The series encourages viewers to engage with the subtle nuances of color and surface, prompting an immersive sensory experience.
The artist’s technique, characterized by velvety textures and layered brushwork, provokes an appreciation for the unique complexities embedded in each piece. Pencil strokes delimit the forms, echoing the familiarity of Quiñonero’s previous works while encouraging the audience to engage with the colors beneath each figure. Rather than seeking a singular meaning, Quiñonero embraces a simplification of her artistic language, emphasizing aesthetic value and the joy of creation. Her compositions often revisit familiar shapes, serving as a meditative exercise in persistence that draws the audience deeper into her evolving vision.
Beyond the aesthetic, Quiñonero’s exploration of blue serves as a poignant metaphor for the emotional landscape of her life. “Life is full of blues,” she notes, each shade conveying distinct feelings and memories. Her work also reflects her multifaceted journey of growth, Quiñonero communicates her belief that growth is a multifaceted process, resulting in works that are neither flawless nor homogenous. By revisiting familiar forms and incorporating titles inspired by personal narratives, each painting is infused with a sense of intimacy. Quiñonero expertly balances the pursuit of beauty with a sense of familiarity in both her artistic practice and her Spanish heritage.
Once again, Maru Quiñonero demonstrates her commitment to sensitive abstraction, achieving a dynamic interplay of colors and forms that resonate with her truth and artistic vision.
Born in 1979 in Murcia, Quiñonero holds a degree in Art History from Murcia University and a Master’s from Carlos III University in Madrid. Since 2003, she has exhibited extensively, and Aurora represents her fourth solo presentation with Voltz Clarke Gallery.
