Empalizada 2001

Beatriz González made Empalizada, a large oil painting, sometime during her career. Look at the flat areas of color, and how the artist simplifies form into just a few shapes. This kind of art-making is very much about process. The blue figure and the onlookers are arranged in blocks of color. There is something really compelling about how the blue in the kneeling figure interacts with the warm, yellow ground. The figure is placed in a submissive pose and painted a strong blue color. It’s as if the artist is heightening the emotional impact of the scene with the use of a surprising color. The brushstrokes are somewhat visible, allowing you to see the artist's hand in its creation. I think you can also see the influence of artists like Andy Warhol in the flattening of space and bold color choices. This piece reminds us that art doesn’t have to provide all the answers. It opens up a space of feeling.