Electric Jungle: Carlos Jacanamijoy

I usually don't write about artists whose works I haven't seen or experienced in person before. I had to make an exception for Carlos Jacanamijoy.

Born in Putumayo, which in Quechua means gushing river, the Colombian artist was the son of a shaman. Jicanamijoy uses the jungle as inspiration. There is something severely intimidating and yet electric about his paintings. If you have ever been to the jungle or even just a forest when it's dark out, you get this sublime feeling, you feel small and vulnerable, unaware of what hides behind those trees and under those leaves.

When I stumbled upon Entre luz y sombra sin temor (1996), the first things that came to mind were exactly what its title describes: between the light and the shadow, without fear. The concentration of dark blues on the edges becomes less scary as you come into the light at the center the canvas. Jicanamijoy's paintings are pure poetry.

If you would like to find out more about the artist you can read this interview by Ellen Gordon, or you can visit the artist's page!

asomoyaureola1998

despiertaenlavispera1997

Caidasdeaguaencuriyacu1997

amanecer1997

acuriyacuenlatarde1999

miradaarriba1997

ofrecimientoenelamanecer1998

orificiosenazules2001

really hides behind those tree andunder those leave.s

#painting #featuredartist #contemporaryart #environment #art