Manitou Galleries, Santa Fe, NM
June 3-27
Alvin Gill-Tapia, Abiquiu Secret, acrylic/copper leaf, 8 x 8.
Two-person shows offer viewers double the visual discoveries while also helping them see synergies between artists that they might not otherwise notice. Such is the case with The Gilded West, a show of new works by painter Alvin Gill-Tapia and sculptor John Maisano that is on view this month at Manitou Galleries in downtown Santa Fe. According to the gallery’s associate director, Cyndi Hall,
Gill-Tapia and Maisano have similar motivations despite their different media. “Both of these contemporary artists show traditional imagery in uniquely colorful ways,” Hall explains. “John’s brilliantly colored sculpture patinas, coupled with the captivating color and metal leaf of Alvin’s paintings, complement each other beautifully.” Both artists attend an opening reception for the show on Friday, June 3, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Alvin Gill-Tapia, Adobe Tower, Santa Fe, acrylic/copper leaf, 24 x 12.
- Alvin Gill-Tapia, Cortez, New Mexico, acrylic/copper leaf, 8 x 8.
- Alvin Gill-Tapia, Zuni Gold, acrylic/gold leaf, 24 x 12.
Gill-Tapia brings 10 new paintings that combine acrylic with gold, copper, or silver leaf, all completed in the past year. These works are based on the artist’s lifelong adoration of New Mexico’s aged adobe architecture, but with a fresh twist: He viewed his subjects from a new vantage point. “Every time I visit these old buildings and churches, I spend half the day observing and recording how the light changes inside and outside with my sketchbook and camera,” he says. “I usually even lie down near the buildings to view them [from below], but this time I actually got above the buildings with ladders or lifts to see them from an aerial perspective.”
Gill-Tapia is particularly excited to unveil the most ambitious example of these new works, the 6-foot-high ANCIENT CONNECTIONS, which captures a corner-angle detail of the iconic Ranchos de Taos church building just south of Taos, NM. “I titled it that way because this building that was built from earth and clay more than 300 years ago still stands,” he says, “and we are connected to that ancient history every time we see it or step inside.”
- John Maisano, Night Song, bronze, 34 x 15 x 16.
- John Maisano, The Peaceful Warrior, bronze, 22 x 33 x 40.
- John Maisano, Mine, bronze, 10 x 12 x 8.
Maisano has been sculpting for more than 20 years. The Texas artist, whose style is influenced by art nouveau and art deco, specializes in animals but has recently ventured into figurative work as well. He brings approximately 15 pieces to the show, including four brand-new ones. “I try to capture the spirit of the subject I’m depicting using powerful lines and intricate design elements,” the artist says. “Beautiful patinas, the stories behind each piece, and a touch of whimsy enhance the lines and form.”
Sculpted in clay and then cast in bronze at a foundry in Bastrop, TX, Maisano’s works range in size from tabletop to monumental. Having worked in the museum world for more than 30 years, the artist has cultivated an eye for art, design, and ancient artifacts. He echoes Hall’s thoughts about how his work harmonizes with Gill-Tapia’s: “Our shared appreciation of line and form, as well as color, really complement each other’s work,” he says. —Allison Malafronte
contact information
505.986.0440
www.manitougalleries.com
This story appeared in the June/July 2022 issue of Southwest Art magazine.