Frederic Boloix Fine Arts is known for its classic drawings and paintings by master artists such as Pablo Picasso and Marc Chagall. The hall leading to Boloix's gallery entrance is lined with beautiful paintings by (the very much alive) Francoise Gilot, a former lover of Picasso, but for this month's Gallery Walk, Boloix has something new and different.
On Friday, Dec. 28, from 6 to 9 p.m., Frederic Boloix Fine Arts will feature a collection of drawings and paintings by the single-named artist Salustiano of Seville, Spain.
"What makes this show special is it is a living artist," Boloix said. "Most of the artists I represent are dead and easy to deal with. I've been waiting a very long time to be moved by a contemporary artist."
Salustiano produces only a few paintings a year. He only paints in red natural pigments and is very intent on making sure the quality of expression revealed by his subjects is perfect.
Salustiano travels the world in search of subjects for his painstaking and sensitive portraits.
"He often paints young people because they have a natural expression that is not contrived, and they don't have a knack for poising," Boloix said.
Painting up to 60 layers of red pigment on linen stretched over wood panels, Salustiano creates monochromatic portraits that contain an incredible amount of detail. The artist is known for taking multiple photographs of his subjects to produce his paintings.
"The first time I saw his work it was almost painful," Boloix said. "I had to have it."
Boloix's father is from Barcelona. His ability to speak Spanish allowed a working relationship to develop between himself and Salustiano, but it took three years before Boloix could obtain any of the artist's work.
Salustiano has also been featured as the cover artist for the book "The Missing Peace," which features 88 artists from 30 countries in a multi-media art exhibition inspired by the Dalai Lama. The exhibition is currently on display through March 2008 at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, Calif.
?Changer La Vie Number One? by Salustiano. Natural pigments and acrylic resin on linen at Frederic Boloix Fine Arts.
