War and Poverty : Famous Spanish Artist Addresses Migration

Departure 2009-2011 by the renowned Spanish artist and Latin American sculpture Xavier Mascaró addresses the impact of war and poverty on migration. Image: Saatchi Gallery

ART REVIEW

BY KAZAD

Departure, at the Saatchi Gallery, features work by the renowned Spanish artist and Latin American sculpture Xavier Mascaró who address the impact of war and poverty on migration

Image: Metal sculpture titled Heads of Eleonora by Xavier Mascaró pay homage to women and the impact on the society — Xavier Mascaró, *Heads of Eleonora* (detail). Image courtesy of Saatchi Gallery

LONDON, UK – In the last two decades, many people across the globe have been displaced by war and poverty. From Asia to Africa and South America, a lot of people have left their homes to escape wars and poverty to find refuge in other countries. The migration and exodus of people fleeing war, deprivation, and poverty in the Mediterranean and South American regions is the focus of a major exhibition on view at the Saatchi Gallery in London.

Titled Departure, the show features the sculptures of Xavier Mascaró, a renowned Spanish artist and Latin American sculpture, who draws inspiration from the symbolism and iconography of boats – from the Egyptian funerary boats that took the departed on their eternal journey. Organized by SP Koren Art, a gallery dedicated to showcasing works by contemporary artists alongside timeless works from the 20th century, Departure is the first UK solo exhibition of this famous Spanish artist.

Departure brings attention not just to the impact of war and poverty on people leaving their countries to seek refuge in other countries, but also the dangers associated with such migration. As a Spanish artist, Mascaró is familiar with the death at sea of many Africans as they try to cross the sea to into Spain. One of the very poignant and imposing installations in this exhibition is titled Departure.

Long-Forgotten Shipwrecks

Consisting of boats made from bronze and iron, the installation is evocative of long-forgotten shipwrecks. The long-forgotten shipwrecks point not just to the past but also the present. It is a fact that many people have died in shipwrecks and boat disasters as they escape wars and poverty. Just recently, more than 300 African migrants were killed after their boat capsized off the coast of Italy. Departure is a totem to those Africans and others like them.

Mascaró’s Idols series, which addresses cult imagery and veneration, celebrate the power of women and their contribution to society. Sacred Couple made of two sitting female figures is one of the captivating sculptures in this series. The votive figures which appear to be praying are delicate metal works and have been major attractions since the exhibition opened.

Besides their cleverly structured bodies, the facial expressions of the women are illuminated by silver metals, putting them in dialogue with art lovers. The idol series is complemented by the Eleonora series which includes iron portraits of a young woman created in a manner reminiscent of the profiles on ancient coins.

Striking Guardians series is another major installation that is part of the Saatchi Gallery in London. The first outdoor installation presented by the Saatchi Gallery since moving to Chelsea, the row of sculptures located in front of the gallery welcomes guests. Standing at nearly 10 feet high, the sculptures are both imposing and placid. Inspired by medieval armor and ancient Egyptian and Greek art, the rusted iron warriors have stood guard at the Palais Royal garden in Paris and the Paseo del Prado in Madrid.

Mascaró: War, Poverty and the Quest for Self Expression

Looking at Mascaró’s works brings clarity to his outstanding ability as a sculptor and an experimental artist who has mastered traditional casting techniques. A self-taught artist, Mascaró began showing an interest in art at a very young age when he started etching by following instructions he found in art books. Although he has a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Barcelona, he attended the school only for about two weeks. He left to paint on his own because he did not like the atmosphere of the school.

In later years, Mascaró developed an interest in cast iron. To sharpen his skills, he went to an industrial foundry to observe the metal casters at work. Although he liked what he saw, he was quick to realize that their techniques would not work for him. Consequently, he developed a technique of his own that has led to the creation of amazing sculptures. With his outstanding ability as a sculptor, it is not surprising that Mascaró’s who lives and works in Madrid and Mexico City has shown his sculptures in Buenos Aires, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico, New York, and Paris.

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Departure at the Saatchi Gallery, London is an outstanding exhibition that art lovers who appreciate great art must-see. Besides bringing focus to Xavier Mascaró, a renowned Spanish artist and Latin American sculptor who is just having his first solo show in London,

Departure brings attention to the issue of war, poverty, immigration, and the impact of women in our society. With his sculpture, Mascaró reminds us all that history has the capacity to shape the future, and that every effort must be done to bring attention to the pains of those fleeing war zones and poverty.