Counting Leaves is the solo exhibition of Alonsa Guevara which is being held in Oo La Lab (Alserkal Avenue 17), Dubai. The artist presents her artworks which she has created while doing an art residence at Tashkeel for the last 10 months. The show will be open to the public until 25 April, 2023.
Guevara paints her objects — trees, plants, fruits — paying attention to the smallest detail. She fills her realistic paintings with symbolic representations of peace, stability, friendship, prosperity, and everlasting life: the concepts which transcend time, place, and cultures. In her latest series of 40 works, the artist delves in relationships between the world of nature and human behaviour. Inspired by the contrasting environments of the UAE and South America, Guevara explores a common natural heritage and examines the integral role trees play in the ecosystem of shared dependence.
The central artwork of the exhibition is Ghaf and Migration: Uncovering the Unknown, a large-scale painting accompanied by ethically sourced tree trunks. It offers visitors a space where they can reflect upon one’s connection to the natural world with no distractions.
About the artist
Alonsa Guevara (born in 1986, Rancagua, Chile) lives and works in New York. Her art practice includes painting, sculpting, and installations. In 2008, she graduated from Catholic University of Chile (Santiago, Chile) with a BFA degree. In 2014, she obtained her MFA from New York Academy of Art (New York, the USA).
The main themes Guevara explores in her art are womanhood, identity, and belonging. She draws her inspiration from the experiences of living in different countries (Chile, Ecuador, the USA) and especially from her memories of childhood spent in the Ecuadorian jungle. Her works depict imaginary worlds where fantastical and believable traits are mixed; she juxtapose fruits and mostly female nude figures to represent life-cycles, the connection between humankind, nature, and spiritual themes.
The artist has had four solo shows in the USA and in Chile: Espíritu, Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, NY (2018); Ceremonies, Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, NY (2016); FUGITIVAS, Expressiones Cultural Center, New London, CT (2013); and “Women’s Imprint”, Cultural Center of La Reina: Casona Nemesio Antunez (2009). She has participated in numerous group exhibitions such as Representing II, Artisan Lofts, New York, NY, USA (2019); Beyond Figuration, Cheng Xi Center for Contemporary Art, Beijing, China (2018); Punto de Fuga, Arca Mexico Gallery and Museo del Tequila y el Mezcal, Mexico City, Mexico (2017); DUETS, Fort Works Art Gallery, Fort Worth, TX, USA (2016); and many others. Guevara has also received a number of scholarships and awards including Elizabeth Greenshields Grant (2013); First place award in the “FEAST” Contest at the Stamford Art Association, CT, USA (2011); First place award in the Bicentennial Contest of Rengo, Rengo, Chile (2010); and others.
To learn more about the Counting Leaves show, please visit its official web page.
You might be interested in visiting Risham Syed’s exhibition The Seven Seas.
