Description

Alexis Oyola is a painter, sculptor, and video artist who was born in 1971 in Antofagasta, Chile, and has lived and worked in Trosa, Sweden, since 1974. He studied at Konst och Natur in Nyköping and the Norrköping School of Sculpture, laying a solid foundation for his artistic practice. In the last five years, Oyola has intensely worked on a series of paintings he calls "Shadow Paintings." This series is a profound exploration of the lost rituals, myths, and legends embedded in our shared DNA heritage. In these works, he seeks the codes of symbols, signs, and patterns that lie deep in our collective subconscious. The "Shadow Paintings" reveal two different images in a single work, depending on how it is illuminated. While the front image depicts a motif, another is hidden on the back, visible through targeted lighting. The shadow thus becomes an integral part of the painting, symbolizing both destruction and positivity. Oyola believes that full self-awareness can only be achieved by acknowledging the dark side. His works, characterized by bold, gestural brushstrokes and complex layering of colors and textures, invite the viewer to delve deeper into the hidden corners of their own subconscious. The color palette ranges from vivid contrasts like turquoise and red to organic combinations of black, orange, and beige, creating a moving, almost dramatic effect. His artistic journey is marked by a profound exploration of the symbols and archetypes of our collective subconscious. Oyola, whose works are characterized by emotional expressiveness and dynamic textures, has made a name for himself in modern abstract art with his unique works. Oyola's public sculptures, such as "Ask & Embla" in Nyköping, created in collaboration with Morgan Yngve, have been recognized with several art scholarships, including the Nyköping Art Scholarship and the Liljeonska Stiftelsens Art Scholarship. His impressive solo exhibitions in prestigious institutions such as the Eskilstuna Konstmuseum, the Väsby Kunsthalle, and the MAC, Museum of Contemporary Art in Santiago, testify to his widespread recognition. In addition to his solo exhibitions, Oyola has participated in other significant group exhibitions, including the VII Video and New Media Biennial at the MAC in Santiago, Chile, as well as exhibitions at the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo in Mijas, Spain, and the Edsvik Kunsthalle. Alexis Oyola's art is a journey through the unconscious, an invitation to explore the shadows and discover the hidden stories and myths of our shared humanity. His "Shadow Paintings" are a fascinating play of light and darkness that immerse the viewer in a deep, introspective experience.