I had the privilege of meeting Javier in the spring of 2009, a few months before moving to Toronto. He spearheaded a certificate course in drawing at the Universidad Iberoamericana, their department of continuing education. He taught the first two modules. Under his very capable tutelage we were able to clearly understand our own potential as artists. It was easy to see a progression in everybody's work, each of us deeply impacted by various aspects of the discipline.
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| ©Javier Areán, from the series múltiplos · multiples |
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Javier was born in Mexico City, a member of the post-rupture generation, with a global education (New York and Germany) and roots deeply ingrained in the old world.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: REGARDING HIS TRAJECTORY (translated from Spanish by moi)
"I have been collaborating and contributing to the cultural and academic life of the country [Mexico] since my return 8 years ago. My body of work has been exhibited in galleries and art fairs in Mexico and abroad, the most outstanding ones at Zona MACO, Houston Art Fair and Chic Dessin in Paris. I was recently selected to participate at the X Art Biennial at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Monterrey (MARCO), and was invited to join the Cultural Editorial Council for Reforma news paper."
IN MY OWN WORDS: REGARDING JAVIER'S WORK
Haunting with a keen sense of what was and openly intrigued by "what could have been". Daring, gestural, thematically strong, brilliantly composed.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: REGARDING THE SERIES "ALLES KAPUTT"
Comprised of a series of paintings and works on paper produced over the previous year, the most recent work of Javier Areán (Mexico, 1969) departs from contemporary publications and historical archives – most of them from the 1950s – that document abandoned automobiles at different stages of deterioration.
On occasion, the cars remain in that particular state of calmness that follows an accident or natural disaster, while in others, they become a part of the landscape as a result of abandonment and the passage of time. Deprived of their utility and function, these cars are objects that dwell in our memory as evidence of an interrupted destiny. From Toca / Gallery
IN MY OWN WORDS: REGARDING JAVIER'S WORK
Haunting with a keen sense of what was and openly intrigued by "what could have been". Daring, gestural, thematically strong, brilliantly composed.
IN HIS OWN WORDS: REGARDING THE SERIES "ALLES KAPUTT"
Comprised of a series of paintings and works on paper produced over the previous year, the most recent work of Javier Areán (Mexico, 1969) departs from contemporary publications and historical archives – most of them from the 1950s – that document abandoned automobiles at different stages of deterioration.
On occasion, the cars remain in that particular state of calmness that follows an accident or natural disaster, while in others, they become a part of the landscape as a result of abandonment and the passage of time. Deprived of their utility and function, these cars are objects that dwell in our memory as evidence of an interrupted destiny. From Toca / Gallery
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| ©Javier Areán, from the series Alles Kaputt, Alles Kaputt, oil on canvas, 70 x 78 in, 2012 |
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| ©Javier Areán, from the series Alles Kaputt, Drawing 1, ink on paper, 22 x 29.9 in, 2012 |
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| ©Javier Areán, from the series Alles Kaputt, Green Crash, oil on canvas, 70 x 80 in, 2011 |
HIS LATEST PROJECT: RETRACING THE STEPS
Javier will document the pilgrimage retracing the journey his grandfather made when he left Spain, only the artist's trek will start where his ancestor's ended. A symbolic return to the homeland after a lifetime in exile.
To learn more about the project, click here or here.
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javier.arean@gmail.com
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