“Cruzando LA Fontera/Crossing the Border” by artist Eriberto Oriol

 

“Cruzando LA Fontera/Crossing the Border” is one of the social commentaries paintings in “Are we dancing with a Madman?” series by artist Eriberto Oriol.

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For most people, crossing the border may be as simple as walking or driving across, however for an undocumented woman with little or no resources, it can be a treacherous journey.

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In this painting, the woman’s body has no arms or feet that maybe speak to the vulnerability and mutilation women around the world face in overcoming barriers not just in crossing borders. The textured body shows cuts and scratches that seem to emphasize the strenuous violent efforts she faces in this most difficult situation.

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The image of a nopal/cactus with nails protruding on her crouch offers an interesting dichotomy. On one hand, the cactus represents strength, however in the same way as the cactus has thorns to protect the plant, maybe this type of armor could protect a woman from being raped. The roots from the cactus magnify how women are often uprooted by war, poverty, and violence.

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For Eriberto, the red-earth color face represents fertility and women’s bond with the earth. The woman’s beautiful stylized braids may also symbolize the rich cultures that these women usually represent. The stepladder is not only helping her to get over the barrier but it may also communicate a cry for help? The stark white background makes the issue very clear.

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Eriberto does not set out to paint these images or themes; he just gets in his creative zone and allows his characters to emerge. He realizes that by tapping into his creativity zone, it deepens the mystery and the magic in his art.

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Text by Angelica Oriol

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War Baby Are we dancing with a Madman? By artist Eriberto Oriol

War Baby, is a painting that depicts the atrocities of the war in a similar way as Francisco Siqueiros painting “The Echo of a Scream;” both paintings talk about the pain and horror of war.

The dark nightmarish colors and hollow eyes of the naked child show the despair and fear of being all alone, vulnerable to abuse and an uncertain future without hope. It is a common dehumanizing timeless theme of war that speaks of inevitable pain, suffering, and intense sorrow.

Children are wars greatest victims and this bold painting seems to have captured the horrific grief and misery of war. For an artist like Eriberto, trying to make sense of war is like the madness of “Dancing with a Mad Man.” Is it time to make radical changes in our thinking? The implications for humanity are catastrophically alarming.

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power and the screams of victims and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten.

Are we dancing with a Madman? “Perros” painting by artist Eriberto Oriol

 

“Perros” is one of the social commentary paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.

 

In this painting, “Perros” Eriberto is not talking about the furry animals some call best friends nor would he insult these creatures to have the character traits that these dogs symbolized in this painting.

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Puppies, chicks, and babies in general, are not born knowing how to hate or how to be violent. They are not just operating out of instinct, they are taught to be violent. However, these animals have been used as vicious weapons for mass destruction and brutal cruelty throughout history around the world. “The Dogs of the Conquest” by John Grier Varner and Jeannette Johnson Varner is just one of the stories of the horrific acts of cruelty and violence committed on those who had the resources the empire wanted.

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The human-like faces in this painting seem to be communicating haunting moments of human life with a sort of an apocalyptic flare that is defiant and yet provoking.

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In this painting, the spots just like in the cheetah distract their prey and camouflage them so they can blend or hide; the spots on the dogs in this image seem to represent the mask of camouflage of individuals who try to conceal their dominance and violence over their prey.

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I think when artists discuss these dark moments it is because they see a giant alarm screaming what is blatantly oblivious. However, for some, this violence is invisible. All around the world, brutal violence is occurring because the empire wants the indigenous people’s resources and their land. Maybe this is the viciousness that the “Perros” painting is trying to communicate.

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Humanity has been bestowed with the greatest gift of all time, imagination, for it has the power to change the world. For Eriberto, the dream is that the skies would get bluer, birds would start to sing again, and the glaciers would stop melting. In Spanish we say, “El Sueno del artista, es que el cielo se vuelva mas azul, los pajaros comienzen a cantar de nuevo, y los glaciares dejen de derretirese.

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Text by Angelica Oriol

Are we dancing with a Madman?

This is a series of paintings with social commentaries that speak of the rage of power and the screams of victims and invisible erased souls begging not to be forgotten.

“The Rage of Power” is one of the social commentaries paintings in the series “Dancing with a Madman” by artist Eriberto Oriol.

When I first saw this painting it made me think of the main character’s rage and how women have been more vulnerable in war, politics, and power just because they have a pussy, at least this is my interpretation.

Of course, this is not what this artist set out to paint; his images come from his creative zone that he allows to take charge and he just paints. In this powerful painting, the image speaks of the rage of power with an abrasive grab that symbolizes dominance and violence.

He uses the color pink to tease the viewer into arousal and maybe to emphasize the power that these images represent. Eriberto knows that since the beginning of time, people with power and money have had a significant impact on society when they have allowed their greed and insecurity to get the best of them.

Through his paintings, Eriberto is helping us see what others at times do not see. He allows the creativity of his imagination to be seen in his work. Historically that is what artists have done. For example, artists such as Francisco Goya’s etchings “Los Caprichos” and Pablo Picasso’s with “Guernica” documented some of the cruel and inhuman events of the war, greed, and power. Some felt that these bizarre paintings were a sign of madness, completely off the wall because they were different from everyone else’s. I would argue that these artists were really in tune with the creative force of the universe.

SAVE THIS DATE: June 14, 2019

Text by Angelica Oriol

Artists Eriberto and Angelica Oriol

Are we DANCING with a MAD MAN?

This artwork “HAPPY HOUR in DANTE’s INFERNO” by Eriberto Oriol is a representation of the madness that goes with being an artist. The process becomes almost like dancing with a Mad Man.

It takes courage to walk through the unbeaten path, especially in a society full of noisy distractions. For Eriberto that is his challenge. How does he use his ingenuity in looking at the world and continue to stay committed to creating his art?

It is said, “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write if he is to be at peace with himself.” Abraham Maslow

For Eriberto, he must paint.

So if you have a passion for art and are wide eye looking for something extraordinary, visit his BLOG ForbiddenArtLA.com. to see more of Eriberto’s artwork.

CANCER: Stage 4 Survivor

In this artwork, artist Eriberto Oriol captured the intense emotions that I was going through at the time when I found out that I had breast cancer. Nothing prepares one for moments like these.

This was back in August 1994. I kept asking myself questions like, “What did I do to get this cancer? What do I do now? Why me?”

I remembered a therapist saying to me, “Angelica get a hold of yourself, the fear of cancer will kill you sooner than cancer.” I said to myself, “That is easy for her to say.” But she was right.

They say that some of the most powerful works of art emerge from an artist’s darkest moments. In this piece, you can see the strength in Eriberto’s art.

He was able to capture the intensity of emotions and sheer determination to live in those eyes – all my emotions are on and running!

In much of Eriberto’s work, it is in his characters that seem to reflect haunting moments of human life that resonate the fears and emotions most experience.

His work also shows the strength, tenacity, and integrity of his character as a human being and as an artist.

Photo and text by Angelica
Artwork mixed media by Eriberto Oriol

* For more details on of some of his accomplishments, samples of Eriberto’s painting and list of art collectors GO TO ABOUT in ForbiddenArtLA.com.

CANCER: Stage 4

 

In this artwork, artist Eriberto Oriol captured the intense emotions that I was going through at the time when I found out that I had breast cancer. Nothing prepares one for moments like these.

This was back in August 1994. I kept asking myself questions like, “What did I do to get this cancer? What do I do now? Why me?”

I remembered a therapist saying to me, “Angelica get a hold of yourself, the fear of cancer will kill you sooner than cancer.” I said to myself, “That is easy for her to say.” But she was right.

They say that some of the most powerful works of art emerge from an artist’s darkest moments. In this piece, you can see the strength in Eriberto’s art.

He was able to capture the intensity of emotions and sheer determination to live in those eyes – all my emotions are on and running!

In much of Eriberto’s work, it is in his characters that seem to reflect haunting moments of human life that resonate the fears and emotions most experience.

His work also shows the strength, tenacity, and integrity of his character as a human being and as an artist.

Photo and text by Angelica
Artwork mixed media by Eriberto Oriol

* For more details on of some of his accomplishments, samples of Eriberto’s painting and list of art collectors GO TO ABOUT in ForbiddenArtLA.com.

How is Eriberto Oriol making a difference?

 

As an activist” advocated for environmental, economic, and health services for underprivileged communities.

As an artist, he has contributed to the arts as an artist, mentor, and promoter through his photography and social media channels.

 

Thank you Alex Poli aka ManOne for acknowledging Eriberto’s contributions through this mural.

For more details on the clinics, his work in the arts, samples of Eriberto’s painting and list of art collectors GO TO ABOUT in ForbiddenArtLA.com.

 

 

 

Who is Eriberto Oriol?

 

He is an artist/activist that is making a difference.

Art is a powerful vehicle for communication and a way to express a vision that is beyond the capacity of words.

In this mural, artist Alex Poli aka ManOne is working to do just that and going beyond words is recognizing Eriberto for his contribution to the community as an artist, mentor, and activist.

 

ManOne has known Eriberto for about 15 years and knows him for working to make a difference in other young artists’ career through his art, photography, voice, and encouragement.

Thank you ManOne for acknowledging Eriberto’s contribution to the arts through this mural.

The mural is on Echo Park Street one block west of Sunset Blvd.

Text by Angelica

ForbiddenArtLA.com