Show Preview | Gladys Roldan-de-Moras

Fredericksburg, TX
InSight Gallery, October 1-24

Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, La Solitaria, oil, 30 x 40.

This story was featured in the October 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art October 2014 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story!

This month at InSight Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX, collectors have the opportunity to step into an exciting, beautiful, and sometimes frightening world that is unfamiliar to most Americans. In a solo show with an artist’s reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, October 3, painter Gladys Roldan-de-Moras presents 12 to 15 new works that depict various aspects of Latin and Latin-American culture—especially escaramuzas (“skirmishes” in English), female rodeo-style sporting events that originated in Mexico and involve women and young girls performing difficult and often risky tricks and routines while riding sidesaddle on horses. “My love for this culture goes back to my childhood in Monterrey, Mexico,” the now San Antonio-based artist explains. “I’m very attracted to the whole scene that surrounds the escaramuzas—from the festive colors, light, shadows, and movement to the tremendous display of female strength and beauty.”

Gladys Roldan-de-Moras, La Punta, oil, 48 x 36.

This is the gallery’s first-ever solo show for Roldan-de-Moras, and owner Meredith Plesko couldn’t be more thrilled. “The first time we saw Gladys’ work in person, it took our breath away,” she says. That was four years ago, and the gallery has represented the artist ever since. “In the past few years, we’ve witnessed that same breathtaking response in collectors,” Plesko says. Indeed, in recent years Roldan-de-Moras has gained an impressive and loyal collector base, in addition to garnering several prestigious awards for her impressionistic still-life and figurative works—including the Best of Show award at the 2012 American Impressionist Society show.

While the artist does plan to include some still-life paintings and even a landscape in this show, she says she wanted to focus primarily on the women of the escaramuzas. “The women that participate in these events are incredibly strong—they have to be to do what they do—but they are also very beautiful and feminine, portraying the Mexican culture with elegance and grace,” she says, adding, “I so enjoy painting these uplifting, joyful scenes, and I just hope they resonate with collectors and find a home.”  —Lindsay Mitchell

contact information
830.997.9920
www.insightgallery.com

Featured in the October 2014 issue of Southwest Art magazine–click below to purchase:
Southwest Art October 2014 print issue or digital download Or subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss a story!