I detect discord in Angel Berrios’ artwork. MFA students are encouraged to step outside their comfort zones so that they can expand their artwork conceptually, technically and aesthetically. I believe the story begins with the single anachronistic realistic painting of a landscape (Machu Picchu in Peru). It is an ode to the past and a pointed reference to a previously developed technical skill. The new works that line the walls are his attempt to transform that past. The realism of his previous work is buried beneath a veil of abstraction and an unnatural color palette. Daubs of highly saturated color blot out the details of his figures. Nostalgic sentiment for the past is evidenced by the narrative scenes, but it is as if they are a lost memory rather than a present experience. He states in his online artist’s statement that he plans to move more toward abstraction in the future. Once Berrios works this out intellectually and conceptually, he may make the next critical step in the evolution of his work.
Finally, I would advise any graduate student to carefully edit their exhibitions. His sculptures, while they may have some commercial appeal, have not been developed sufficiently to be included in an MFA exhibition.
The exhibit is open until November 14th at UTPA's Charles and Dorothy Clark Gallery.