The Supreme Exodus Series - Ongoing Project
Silkscreen and Acrylic on Canvas - DNA Sequences weave in a electronic knitting machine - Cotton, Alpaca & Wool + Acrylics on Paper 2018 - 2020.
The Supreme Exodus, is an ongoing project in which Guzman is inspired by the recent history of migration in Latin-America. Antonio José Guzman constructed his monumental project from images of migration and demonstrations in Latin-America and the graphic image of his own DNA.
He examines views on socio-cultural identity and migration problems. His installations can be seen as a data visualisation of a continuous investigation into displacement and exile in Latin-America and the rest of the world.
The Monumental Paintings from the Supreme Exodus (The Fierce Sun series), research on Afro Latin-American traditions and the African connection that thousands of migrants have in the continent. Guzman used a special method to work on this series. First, he silkscreened out his own DNA sequence to thirty paintings. Then, he prepared sketches and he worked on all the panels at the same time, applying red and black colours to all thirty panels before continuing on to the next color.
Each painting measures about two hundred by hundred forty centimeters. The series starts with a panel showing a large crowd of migrants crossing a river in Venezuela. The style is bold and direct, stylised to suggest emotion and movement. The series continues with panels that show abstract trees, migrants in motorcycles and angry dogs, followed by repeated paintings of moving DNA. The works resemble the walls of migrant shelters and many of the paintings use mythology from the Afro Yoruba religion.
Made possible by the generous support of the Mondriaan Fund.
Photos Aad Hoogendoorn
Silkscreen and Acrylic on Canvas - 200 x 140 cm
Silkscreen and Acrylic on Canvas - 200 x 140 cm
Acrylic on paper
Silkscreen and Acrylic on Canvas - 200 x 140 cm
Acrylic on Paper
Acrylic on Paper