'Welcome', by Mònica Castanys

The Anquin's art gallery (Reus) presents a new exhibition by Mònica Castanys , where the strength of color and the female figure transport us to an intimate and evocative world. With the title 'Welcome', the exhibition immerses us in a reflection on the journey, a concept that the artist shapes through everyday moments that he portrays with a vibrant palette and expressive brushstrokes.

Castanys defines his work as a contemporary figuration influenced by romanticism, but with a personal and dynamic style. In her words, she constantly seeks to surprise herself in every creation. This creative impulse is born from the desire to observe and capture environments, with the intention of embodying lived situations and suggesting stories based on them. His methodology involves a first phase of observation and collection of photographic material, which he later reinterprets in his studio, giving life to his works on wooden support.

Castanys' paintings present anonymous figures, often portrayed from the back, in settings such as airports, terraces or streets, which symbolize moments of waiting and transition. This formal choice invites the viewer to connect with the experiences of these figures, highlighting the essence of the female experience. As art critic Montse Frisach points out, Castanys' humanistic gaze helps us find pleasure in the act of looking, transforming simple moments into profound visual narratives.

Over the years, the artist has evolved towards a more reflective approach, looking for his works to convey intimate states and emotions. Her constant experimentation with the oil painting technique leads her to become more and more free with the brushstroke, abandoning the explicit to explore new forms of expression.

Her work resembles memories that gradually transform, where the characters that appear can be multiple unconscious self-portraits of the artist herself.

'Welcome' will be available to the public from October 4 to November 16, 2024.

'El pati de la Strelitzia'