Crescem à Sombra 1991

Lourdes Castro made this print, Crescem à Sombra, using a screenprinting technique. The colors are what grabbed me first – this playful, almost childlike palette of bright pinks, oranges, blues, and blacks dancing across the surface. Looking at the image closely, you see how Castro has used the silkscreen process to build up layers of transparent color, creating depth and vibration. The flat blocks of color don't try to mimic nature; instead, they create a field of visual energy. Take a look at that cluster of bright pink flowers near the center. The color is so intense, so unapologetically artificial, that it pops out against the subdued ground. It reminds me of Matisse’s cut-outs, especially in the way Castro uses color and line to create a sense of depth and space. And, like Matisse, she reminds us that art isn't about imitation; it's about invention, about making something new. It’s a beautiful conversation across time.