Untitled (Pattern of Faces) (1991) by Luis Gordillo is an etching that juxtaposes regimented structure with expressive abstraction. The composition is dominated by horizontal lines, reminiscent of lined paper or musical staff, over which gestural scribbles and repeated face silhouettes are layered. These portrait-like ovals—black profiles against a golden frame—form linear and triangular arrangements, evoking systems of categorization or memory grids. Gordillo’s dynamic hand-drawn marks inject chaos and spontaneity into the order, creating tension between control and intuition. In this edition of 75 (+5 HC), the artist reflects on identity and repetition as psychological constructs.
Luis Gordillo (Spain, 1934) is a Spanish painter and author, recognized as one of Spain's most prolific artists. His work, exhibited in institutions like the Reina Sofia Museum, often explores themes of abstraction and figuration. Gordillo has received numerous awards, including the National Award for Plastic Arts and the Premio Velázquez de las Artes Plásticas.
EtchingEtching is a technique where a design is created on a metal surface by using a strong acid or mordant to eat away the unprotected parts of the metal, leaving the desired pattern in relief (intaglio). In modern art and manufacturing, different chemicals may be used depending on the material being etched.
Untitled (Pattern of Faces) (1991) by Luis Gordillo is an etching that juxtaposes regimented structure with expressive abstraction. The composition is dominated by horizontal lines, reminiscent of lined paper or musical staff, over which gestural scribbles and repeated face silhouettes are layered. These portrait-like ovals—black profiles against a golden frame—form linear and triangular arrangements, evoking systems of categorization or memory grids. Gordillo’s dynamic hand-drawn marks inject chaos and spontaneity into the order, creating tension between control and intuition. In this edition of 75 (+5 HC), the artist reflects on identity and repetition as psychological constructs.
Luis Gordillo (Spain, 1934) is a Spanish painter and author, recognized as one of Spain's most prolific artists. His work, exhibited in institutions like the Reina Sofia Museum, often explores themes of abstraction and figuration. Gordillo has received numerous awards, including the National Award for Plastic Arts and the Premio Velázquez de las Artes Plásticas.
Over the last 40 years, Luis Gordillo has built a seminal body of work, rooted in the windy twists ands turns, of his 'meandering situation' technique. His work reflects his continued interest in processes which take place without the involvement of conscious thought. His paintings have evolved towards a reflection on how to identify the line of flight of the continuous, as it spreads over a representational surface. This effort towards new forms of characterisation was initiated in the 1980's, when Gordillo's work matured towards a greater degree of abstraction. Colour was gradually replaced with the informality of the non-representational. Gordillo was born is Spain in 1934 and has long been hailed as one of Spain's most respected painters. He lived and worked in Paris in the 1960's where he developed his work under the influence of the avant-gardeaesthetics of Henri Michaux and Antoni Tapies. He achieved an idiosyncratic combination of Pop Art and geometrical compositions shortly thereafter. Gordillo has subsequently systematically incorporated technological experimentation in his work, to support his explorations of image alterations and computer-assisted graphic modeling. (Artist website)
Naïve art describes a style of artwork that is simple and unsophisticated, often created by artists without formal training in an academy or art school. The style is characterized by a lack of advanced techniques, giving it a childlike appearance. Naïve art often features bright colors, simple shapes, and a straightforward approach to subject matter, reflecting the artist's untrained perspective.