Paraguyan Artist Paints His Own Reality

▲ Paraguayan artist Hernan Miranda stands beside his painting, "Korea," at the Galleria Bellarte

This is "Frugal II," a painting by Hernan Miranda, considered one of the most important contemporary Paraguayan artists.

Miranda is currently holding a solo exhibition, "Lo Real y Lo Virtual"(The Real and the Virtual) at the Galleria Bellarte, Sagan-dong, Seoul. Sponsored by the Paraguayan Embassy, the exhibition features 30 of his oil and mixed media paintings.

In an interview with The Korea Times, Miranda said he considers himself a "realist" painter. He said his art aims to represent the image of the object, not the object itself by playing with light, form and color.

In some of his works, Miranda uses materials such as printed cloth and wooden panels as his canvas. One painting shows three pieces of fruit on a table covered with a floral cloth. Turning over the painting he shows how he used the floral cloth as the canvas, and painted the fruits and background on it.

"’Direalism’ integrates the media with the featured object that is painted. I mixed it all together harmoniously to make people question what is real and not," he said.

▲ Hernan Miranda's painting " Frugal II"

The subject of Miranda’s paintings are often ordinary objects such as fruit, boxes and tables, so ordinary people can relate to his work. He said he admired Giorgio Morandi, who also painted everyday objects.

"I paint the ‘light,’ not the fruit or ships or bodies. The light in the paintings cannot exist in real life, the fruit in the art works cannot really cast the shadows that they do, but I do this to attract the viewer’s attention. Unrealistic lighting is used to bring focus on either the object or the background," he said.

Miranda also provides movement and rhythm to his works by painting shapes. He said this represents what is going on in the realism movement in culture and politics.

Some of his works also feature nude and half-naked women, but Miranda said he uses the nudity to project the woman’s feelings and mood.

The 46-year old artist was born in Concepcion, Paraguay, but has recently emigrated to the U.S. His experience has inspired a series of art works called "Immigration," which will be shown at a California wine festival.

When asked to pick a favorite among his exhibits, Miranda pointed to the painting "Korea." It shows a red Korea football shirt over a chair with a piece of fruit and one shoe.

Miranda said he admires Korea, and sees many similarities between the Korean and Paraguayan people. He wants to make a series of artworks especially for Korea.

This is not the first time Miranda has presented his works in Korea. He held a solo exhibition at the Gana Art Center, Seoul in 2001, and has participated in exhibitions in Pusan, Chonju and Sogwipo. <Galleria Bellarte 02-734-733>