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Hector Acevedo

Paintings are as capricious as dreams. That is so because they both live in unison creating a beautiful oasis out of intimacy which nurtures the work of Hector Acevedo Rojas (Lima, 1963). Through a hard lesson in esthetics and of a search full of suggestive symbolism, Acevedo gradually acquires maturity as he escapes into a reality escorted by a multicolored butterfly.

A graduate of the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes of Lima, Acevedo's work is characterized by a fine tracery charged with intention and light, allowing for the soul's silhouette to be reflected as if on water. His characters - gray angels, nymphs or naiads of melancholic beauty and pensive charm - are sustained by strong colors, they accommodate to our spirit and lure us with their truth and their madness. To approach him with love is to be able to understand his work - that is, his silence.

"Although my paintings stood out during my adolescence, I never actually thought about studying art until I reached adulthood; in fact, after finishing high school I started to study engineering at university - here my life came to a crossroads and I heard art beckoning me. I joined the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes and at once became fascinated by the magical ambience of that great big house - every space was in tune with my spirit. Here is were my artistic instruction began - I was impressed by "Guernica" which made me wonder if art was useful for such strong human expressions. My painting finds expression through symbolisms inspired by a subtle Cubist tendency: it has unconscious elements, emotions, sensations and memories, in other words the emotional state that reflects the human soul. My artistic formation coincided with the time when terrorism was strife in Peru and my painting expressed the extreme violence we experienced. Now my painting expresses grateful tenderness.

"I love the freedom of my work - a diagram undermines the adventure of painting, doesn't allow for the absolute control of things and it takes away spontaneity. Only under certain circumstances do I use drafts for I prefer to use a free criteria, maybe not with the same rigueur as in my earlier years. Of course my painting will submit to changes according to the dynamics of the world and of life for to not accept this is to remain petrified. I can diversify when I paint which does not mean to eliminate - I act according to the importance of the moment. I take long in realizing what it is that I am missing, so I leave a painting for a few days then I retake it; I finish it when it fills me spiritually. I can't deny I am influenced by Picasso and Tamayo, amongst others. I like subtlety, I like to hide, what is hidden creates mystery and mystery is the secret of art - in this way I challenge the viewer's imagination.

"I've participated in about 30 Collective Exhibitions in my country as well as in Ecuador (1992) and Puerto Rico (1996). I had an Individual Exhibition in Trujillo, I was selected for the 'VI National Contest of Young Artists 91' organized by Southern Peru and the Instituto Cultural Peruano Norteamericano, in Arequipa; I was also awarded Third Prize in the 'VIII Coca Cola National Painting Contest' in Trujillo.

"My paintings carry something that links our culture, showing the many faces of the human being. My work is artistic research and testimony of life which I wish to share with others. My work is about undressing in front of an audience. In the end, my paintings project peace."