Illumination (2000) Painting by Homero Aguilar

Homero Aguilar applying varnish to his original oil "L'Equilibriste" during his recent visit to Galleria Silecchia. Born in Pasto, Colombia in 1953, Homero Aguilar received his art training in Cali. When this young painter was 25, he left his homeland to live and work in Paris. With no money or personal connections, Aguilar immediately began painting in order to support himself. His talent was quickly recognized, and he was accepted into more and more prestigious exhibitions throughout France. In 1980, Homero Aguilar began exhibiting in Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Italy, Venezuela and the United States. His work was also an important part of an exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Bogota entitled "Nuevas Figuras." Over the years, Aguilar received many awards such as the coveted Medallion of the City of Paris in 1987, as well as the First Prize in the Symbolic Surrealism Competition. Homero Aguilar and his original oil "Trigal", currently on exhibit at Galleria Silecchia. In the beginning of Aguilar's art, there were "paintings within paintings" with references to classical masters. Images of works by daVinci, Titian and Manet appeared in Aguilar's series of imaginary museum-apartments with their alluring emptiness. Soon mirrored reflections began to emerge. Like Van Eyck in "The Couple Arnolfini" and Velasquez in "Las Meninas," Aguilar began creating magically-complex compositions. However, Aguilar uses no props or live models in his paintings. He waits for an inspiration, a vision to appear, and then he proceeds to paint until it is complete. Homero Aguilar's art invariably provokes Reflections and Questions. Are these mirrors, paintings or windows? What is this reality he paints with such geometric precision? What is the meaning of his work? Aguilar cleverly pulls us into his world, and then tricks us into surrendering our reality. He transports us into his strange-yet-familiar world of dreams' reality where there are no limits. A peaceful harmony is created, far from the pains of the day, and he moves us calmly and slowly into the expanded, often breathtaking space where sky and water often combine into liquid plains. In the end, Aguilar's visions offer us lessons of hope, and his Light and Perspective move us past our ordinary perceptions into new experiences. Like Alice in Wonderland, it is "Through the Looking Glass" that we begin to glimpse Eternity. Today Homero Aguilar's work is sought after by collectors all over the world.

• Nationality: COLOMBIA
• Date of birth : 1953
• Artistic domains: Works by professional artists,
• Groups: Professional Artist Contemporary Colombian Artists