Victor Castillo ‘Under Heavy Measures’ At Merry Karnowsky Gallery

1xRun: Tell us a little bit about these original pieces.

Victor Castillo: These pieces are the first paintings on paper that I showed in an exhibition. Both of the original pieces “Planeta Infierno” and “Flying High” were sold as soon as they were exhibited. I showed works on paper before, but never with colors like this.

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1xRun: Were these two pieces part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Victor Castillo: Yes, both pieces were part of my solo show Under Heavy Measures at Merry Karnowsky Gallery in 2013. The show was divided into two parts, paintings on canvas and paintings on paper.

Under Heavy Measures refers to Castillo’s feeling that the scales of power have become oppressive: inequality grows, the protests increase globally, and the brutality with which these demonstrations are repressed is also amplified.  While Castillo adeptly explores the dark side of human nature, in this exhibition, he also celebrates the lighter side of human experience with Double Rainbow and other paintings on paper set during the day rather than during the night.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRUN: What materials were used to create these pieces?
Victor Castillo: Each of the original pieces was created using acrylic on paper.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Victor Castillo: I made several sketches following the main idea for the show. After I chose the images that I liked most.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRun: How long did each piece take from start to finish?
Victor Castillo: That’s relative, sometimes a couple of days, and sometimes a week.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRun: What is unique about these two pieces compared to some of your other work?
Victor Castillo: Making paintings on paper gave me the opportunity to explore a different kind of light. The paintings on canvas are in general dark, but the papers are bright and colorful.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRun: Why should people buy one of these prints?
Victor Castillo: They are full of emotions and the prints look just like the original pieces. I’m happy with the quality.

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1xRun: You had a show opening last month, how did that go?
Victor Castillo: It was my first solo show where all the pieces are made with ink on paper, with black and white compositions. No colors. It’s also the first show with erotic images.

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1xRun: Give us a bit of background on how your art career began, when did you first begin painting?
Victor Castillo: I’ve been drawing and painting all my life.

1xRun: You seem to be traveling all the time, when did you first come to the US and when did you make the move here full time?
Victor Castillo: I came to the US for the first time for a solo show in July 2009, and I moved here to live in December of the same year.
When I travel I feel alive, and also you learn new things about different cultures. This is always an inspiration.

Photos by TheOnePointEight -  http://www.the1point8.com/

1xRun: What is on your schedule for 2014?
Victor Castillo: I have many shows this year. I’m currently in a group show at White Walls in San Francisco. In May I have two shows at the same time in Spain, and then I’ll paint a mural at Comicon in San Diego, participate in a two-person show in Hamburg in August and have another solo show in San Francisco at the end of the year, all among other small projects.

1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Victor Castillo: Merry Karnowsky Gallery –  WebsiteFacebook

-1xRUN

Show photos courtesy of Theonepointeight.