Haunting Art in Puerto Varas : A Quick Post! – Puerto Varas, Chile
Through Latin America we haven’t come across many art galleries, at least outside of the big cities, but we did come across a nice one on our walk yesterday here in Puerto Varas. The featured artist is a local guy, Guillermo Grez, from the nearby Chiloe Island. From what the curator said, he makes all his own work: the fabric (though it looked more like cotton or muslin, so maybe she meant he shapes it rather than makes it?), the patterns, does all the painting and makes the figures. Pretty amazing stuff!
This lovely lady welcomed us to the exhibit!
Not sure why the babies are upside-down, but a lot of Grez’s imagery is religious and perhaps this has to do with angels on clouds?
A commentary on trees and forest usage…
Absolutely fabulous figures in wood and fabric!
According to the curator, this piece is about the local salmon fishing practices. I don’t think of salmon having those big teeth, but what do I know? Oh, and yes, that is a “salmon king” in the doorway at the top.
A great story about this little guy…
The story: apparently there is a legend on Chiloe Island about the Trauco, a dwarvish fellow who gets blamed for all the Island women who get pregnant before marriage. Supposedly he is known for raping virgins and all sorts of nefarious deeds when I think we all know what really happens. Anyway, this was Grez’s take, showing the Trauco just resting and asleep as he’s actually very lazy and has no interest in everything he’s blamed for! So sad to be so misunderstood…
As you can see, they are about life size.
Just had to finish with a lovely shot of Lake Llanquihue out the gallery door. Not a bad view at all!
Then, across the street, there were these fellows painted onto the remains of an old pier. Their expressions have nothing to do with their opinions of the exhibition, I’m sure.
Guillermo has a couple of other exhibitions up around the area right now (our friend Manuel loved the one he saw on the Island last week), but I don’t think we’ll get to see any others as we’re headed on an overnight bus to Santiago tomorrow. A great final artistic adios to Patagonia and Southern Chile!
You guys are finding the coolest stuff! Thanks for sharing as you go along!
Our pleasure!
Guillermo’s work is layered with myth. So much symbolism, if we only knew the local legends, in addition to Trauco. Do you know if his work has been shown outside of Chile? I could easily see him displayed in Santa Fe.
Continued Buon Viaggio. Love, Grace
Don’t know – there wasn’t a lot of information at the gallery…and it was all in Spanish. He definitely seems to show a lot in Chile, but you’d have to Google him to learn more I’m afraid. Sorry!
Guillermo’s stuff is amazing. I’m not sure I’d like to live with it, but it is fascinating. And those green, fearful faces on the pier….I thought that was you two thinking about your unexpected companion on your upcoming safari.
His stuff really is amazing! I wish we could have seen some of his other exhibits – perhaps someday. 🙂