Study I, West Section / Huilquilemu Series

Huilquilemu, Mapuche word derived from wilki: thrush and lemu: forest; is part of Borderland Chile iconography where the general theme is centred in Chilean landscape morphology as a vehicle of understanding from an organic point of view, the “exoticism” of the new world which was originally described by German naturalist, Alexander von Humboldt and romantic painter Johann Moritz Rugendas in the 19th century. The images in reference relate to southern Chile native trees such as the Chilean Oak, Arrayán, Araucaria and Coihue have been purposely intertwined in order to insinuate silhouette pattern landmarks which have been dominating until present time. Although substantial changes have taken place since 19th century exploration, a sense of nostalgia lingers to a unique emplacement which identifies a particular and remote geography. In addition to native flora, the overall composition has been embellished by outstanding sights which define the singularity of an overt volcanic landscape represented by the “Villarrica” active volcano and dramatic water falls such as the “Lions falls” in the nearby rain forest. From a formal point of view, the crossroads created between traditional continuous tone printmaking and second generation digital painting brings about the pinnacle of graphic language which coincidently in these specific compositions is represented by a panicle flower like clusters where movement and line is constantly regenerating.