Art Influences Art

One of my favourite things to explore in any city I visit are local galleries and museums. But generally they are carefully curated to attract a specific clientele, and in many cases lack 'seasoning' or a voice.

Art in most places is everywhere, from sidewalk chalk creations, street art, or even a hotel lobby.

We stayed at the Decanter Hotel, across from the Catedral Basílica Metropolitana de San Juan Bautista. The hotel was originally built in 1880, and a few of its original pieces are still in place, but the rooms, common areas and rooftop bar are all relatively new. It was a lovely stay with high ceilings, separate bedroom, and kitchenette and living room, but what kept catching my eye was the large art piece in the lobby.

It's been many years since my art history days, but when I see a piece like that it sparks a load of neurons, looking for similarities. I wish I had stopped and asked the concierge if they had any information about the original artist, but I believe it must be a piece that's probably around 70 years old. It invoked memories of several pieces from various artists I've seen and adored over the years.

Most of the influences were from the early 20th century. Picasso, Cezanne, Magritte, Salvador Dali, Japanese woodcuts and collages. It is a piece that i could gaze at for hours, looking for yet another muse hidden in the charcoal, paint or crosshatch.