Although the period of time before Advent is usually considered ordinary, events nevertheless take place that are worthy of review and even highlighting. In this year’s early autumn, even as we still await a change in the summer weather, one exhibition in particular has come to awaken our interest: “Maribel Nazco: New works” presented by the Agencia de Tránsitos Cultrales and the co-directors of Galería ATC, Juan Matos and Ellen Przybyla. Art lovers can come to see it at Galería ATC until November 10, located at Callao de Lima 39.
Arrows and targets are the principal subject of Maribel Nazco's most recent individual exhibition, and we are not saying her last exhibition, as is at times reported. Arrows, which are tools that can symbolize the painting practice itself, as much as an artist’s brushes or knives used in the art of cooking. There is a moment when the artist has to “launch”, that is to say, express everything that is at their disposal using all of their resources at hand. Then we have the Targets, which can be those that we set for ourselves, but also those which we can find ourselves. All of the paintings in this exhibition by Maribel are acrylic on canvas and were made throughout this current year, 2023.
Images of bullseye targets were incorporated into the work of artist Jasper Johns, who is still with us at the age of ninety-three. These works of his from the fifties were made with encaustic on canvas, also incorporating newspaper collage. The targets, along with his well-known flags are a prominent part of North American Pop Art, which attracted the attention of Leo Castelli, who offered him his first exhibition.
This new offering by Maribel Nazco, in Galería ATC, in addition to her personal courage, has caught our attention for the freshness and creative freedom with which she faces and creates these paintings. It does not surprise us that, for this reason, along with her entire career, Maribel Nazco has become a reference for other fellow artists and teachers of the arts. From an educational standpoint, she has also played a very prominent role as Dean and as the Fine Arts Department Director at the University of La Laguna.
It brings a sense of joy and satisfaction that each day more and more people recognize Maribel Nazco’s work, with this showcase of her recent paintings at Galería ATC. Three decades have had to pass for her consistent work to gain the widespread recognition, awards and tributes which she has deserved since the mid-eighties.
Celestino Celso Hernández Hernández,
Director Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Eduardo Westerdahl
