Luis Enrique Oliver’s iconoclastic paintings reel in starburst explosions of socio-political arrays with overt icons of harmlessness. Oliver adeptly paints outsized, beautified babies over miniaturized piles of societal debris and weapons, where guns and tanks etc become toying. One cannot help thinking of Jiang Jie’s Yellow Head sculpture and Xue Song painting, Old China juxtaposed with an Aston Martin in a promo shot by René Staud ([1] as a contrast to Oliver’s appeal for reconsideration of the disquieting relationships to use, misuse and outcome of combat with consumerism. Oliver’s work depicts warfare as the antitheses of credulous potential.
"....art produced by self-taught individuals, usually without formal training, whose works arise from an innate personal vision that revels foremost in the creative act itself."([2]). Oliver’s autodidactic practice allows explorations of styles and techniques while he evolves his own sensibilities. Votive crowns over protagonists, such as seen in Alex Grey’s Dr. Hofmann first synthesized the compound LSD in 1938, while researching ergot derivatives as a chemist for Sandoz Pharmaceuticals in Basel ([3]) are prevalent in these paintings. Mati Klarwein collage techniques are apparent. What is uniquely Oliver is an intense authenticity. Utilizing barbed wire to interplay with embracing Middle East infants on a shard of wood is an arresting image. The paint is unconscientiously applied, and the image cinches and refuses prevarication. Oliver has a drive to respond to confrontational concerns. He has earnest aim towards society’s excessive indulgences, discharges his imagery where complacency is pampered.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/luisenriqueoliver/sets/72157625118182877/
“ Baby Gun “ at the Ministry Of Casual Living - Jan. 3 to 12, 201 - 1442 Haultain St.
[1] http://www.astonmartinartcollection.com/meets-art/yellow-head.html
[2] http://www.avam.org/stuff-everyone-asks/what-is-visionary-art.shtml
[3] http://fractalenlightenment.com/20/artwork/alex-grey-beyond-art
I was at the "birth", so to speak, of the Baby Gun series. I always knew these canvasses would hang in a gallery one day. Symbols of the next generation atop detritus. I assure viewers of Oliver's work that the artist's rendering of such deep concepts come from a place of unique access to the underbelly of our society. Well done, chanch.
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