Rodrigo Jose Castrillo Nievas was born in San Jose de Mayo, Uruguay, in 1979. He began his studies in the visual arts at the Studio of the San Jose Departmental Historical Institute Museum in 1986, where he exhibited in group shows until 1988. He received a Diploma of Honor In 1988 for participating in an "Initiation to Painting"" competition sponsored by Sirama Audiovisuales S.R.L., at the San Jose Club. From 1990 to 2000 he continued his education in Art independently, when in 2001 he resumed his studies at the Drawing and Painting Studio for Adults at the San Jose Departmental Historical Institute Museum under the direction of Professor Nelvia Romero.

The work presented in "Reflection: Creation, Man & Nature"" embodies his outstanding talents as a draughtsman, colorist, and sculptor. Borne from experiments with manipulated fabric constructions, similar to low-relief sculpture, the images were revealed to him through the ways by which light and imagination played in the folds of the material. Subjects such as children playing in the street, an old man with a cane, a reclining woman, emerged from the shadows, not unlike apparitions, and assumed ghostlike form on the surface of the paper. Through pen and ink, and a discerning eye, Nievas animates the inanimate with a profound sense of compassion that miraculously brings to life their supernatural essence in a manner that is both beautiful and thought provoking.

Armando H. Torres
Guest Curator

Location: Arte Americas, 1630 Van Ness Ave., Fresno
Starts: 2006 Jun 30 - 5:00pm
Ends: 2006 Aug 30 - 5:00pm
Website: http://www.arteamericas.org