Untitled composition (Ombre) 1967

Here we see Lourdes Castro’s striking composition, dominated by bold color and stark contrasts. The interplay between red, white and a hint of yellow creates a visual push and pull, immediately drawing the eye. Castro’s silhouetted profile, bisected by color, invites us to consider the very nature of representation. The negative space becomes as important as the solid form, challenging our perception of figure and ground. The hand raised to the face is a signifier. What does it mean? Is it a sign of thought, or of reflection? What could be the cultural and philosophical meanings? Through this shadow play, Castro destabilizes fixed meanings, and engages us in a dynamic process of seeing. It reminds us that an artwork’s beauty lies not just in its appearance, but in its capacity to provoke thought.