IN FOCUS
For María, drawing serves as the foundational framework for much of her inquiry. She views it as a vast landscape, offering numerous possibilities that shape the trajectory of her projects. Beyond a mere medium, drawing becomes an intuitive tool, fostering connections with diverse disciplines such as archaeology, geology, anatomy, and artisanal processes like ceramics and textiles.
Her creative process unfolds as a perpetual generator, positioning her artistic production as an ongoing, time-extended narrative rather than a finite conclusion. Recent works delve into themes of landscape formation and territory appropriation, exploring the intricate dynamics between nomadism and the concept of home. This exploration becomes a reinterpretation of the notion of belonging, as María consistently seeks fundamental structures and codes within the realms of body, scale, landscape, and nature.
In her artistic evolution, María García Ibáñez embarked on a distinctive series in 2022 titled «Ni las Líneas Ni las Palabras» (Neither the Lines Nor the Words). This collection unveils a captivating exploration of gouache and watercolor paintings, meticulously crafted with masking liquid. The process involves the deliberate application and subsequent removal of this liquid, giving rise to vivid, contrasting line-like shapes. The interplay between these shapes and the dark, profound backgrounds creates a visual dialogue that captivates the viewer’s attention. Notably, the inclusion of gradient effects within these shapes amplifies the contrast, adding an additional layer of complexity to each composition. María’s artistic finesse is showcased not only through individual paintings but also extends to diptychs, where the synergy between paired pieces contributes to the series’ overarching narrative.
Building upon her educational foundation and the foundational role of drawing in her artistic language, María’s «Ni las Líneas Ni las Palabras» series represents a pivotal chapter in her exploration of form and contrast. The vibrant, dynamic compositions in this series serve as a testament to her nuanced understanding of visual elements and the intricate relationships between them. This body of work seamlessly aligns with her broader artistic philosophy, where each stroke and shape becomes a part of an ongoing, narrative-rich dialogue between the artist, her materials, and the viewer. As María navigates through diverse mediums and techniques, this series stands as a vibrant testament to her evolving artistic language and commitment to pushing the boundaries of visual expression.
Revisiting 2020, María dove into a compelling artistic stage with her series titled «Tejidos» (Weavings). In this collection, she employed a distinctive technique, commencing with gouache and watercolor paintings on paper. Subsequently, she introduced a digital layer by drawing and digitalizing a weave-like texture, a unique marriage of traditional and modern artistic practices. The culmination of this intricate process involved the precise application of a laser cutter to the original painting, resulting in pieces aptly named «Tejidos» for their striking resemblance to fabric or thread weavings. The series showcases a dual approach, featuring both colored painted pieces and those relying solely on the intricacies of laser-cut paper. This deliberate duality not only expands the tonal palette of the collection but also offers viewers a diverse range of perceptual experiences.
Within the broader scope of the «Tejidos» series, María delves deeper into her exploration of drawing, challenging conventional notions of the medium. By incorporating digital elements and leveraging the precision of a laser cutter, she transforms the two-dimensional canvas into a textural, three-dimensional exploration. The resulting pieces, whether painted or purely paper-based, bear witness to María’s adept navigation between traditional and contemporary techniques. A notable subset of this series focuses on fishing nets, where the absence of paint emphasizes the sheer precision and intricacy of the laser-cut patterns. This nuanced approach not only broadens María’s artistic horizons but also serves as a testament to the boundless possibilities inherent in the realm of drawing.
In «Tejidos,» María García Ibáñez masterfully weaves together her proficiency in painting, drawing, and digital technologies, creating a series that transcends the conventional boundaries of artistic expression. The intricate dance between color, texture, and form in these laser-cut pieces underscores her commitment to pushing the envelope of visual storytelling. As the series unfolds, it becomes a compelling testament to the idea that drawing, under María’s deft hand, can manifest in forms beyond the traditional pencil-and-paper paradigm, enriching the tapestry of her artistic narrative.
María’s latest exploration, encapsulated in the series «Aquellos Ecos, Aquellos Indicios» (Those Echoes, Those Indications), unfolds in a singular ceramic piece crafted this year. In this series, the ceramic surface serves as a conscious canvas, where the artist pushes the boundaries of traditional drawing techniques within the realm of clay. The piece becomes a dynamic interplay of various clay tones, coexisting with pigments meticulously applied to compose expressive gestures and baths of color. The juxtaposition of sandy textures with milky glazes becomes a deliberate choice, creating a visual dialogue that accentuates the interplay of light and shadow across the ceramic forms.
Within these ceramics, María embarks on a thought-provoking exploration of the pictorial, intertwining the tactile qualities of clay with the dynamic application of color. The series inquires into the accumulation of lines, where the body of the artist and the transformative power of fire collaboratively shape the final outcome of each piece. «Aquellos Ecos, Aquellos Indicios» becomes a testament to María’s continual pursuit of material boundaries, where the medium itself becomes a conscious participant in the artistic dialogue. Through this exploration, the series not only expands the traditional notions of drawing but also serves as a captivating revelation of the inherent collaboration between artist, material, and elemental forces.
As María navigates through diverse mediums and techniques, «Aquellos Ecos, Aquellos Indicios» stands as a compelling chapter in her artistic narrative. This ceramic endeavor, akin to her previous series, becomes a testament to the malleability of her artistic language, where drawing transcends conventional limitations and embraces the inherent possibilities of each chosen medium. In this series, the ceramic canvas becomes a space where echoes of creativity and subtle indications of artistic intention reverberate, marking yet another significant milestone in María’s ever-evolving exploration of form, texture, and expression.
