Scary faces, expressionless eyes like vintage doll, coarse brushstrokes. Guim Tio Zarraluki is the artist father of these two-dimensional characters gaze goggle-eyed. The eyes just mentioned, round as buttons, ultra stylized contribute to grow foolish literally the viewer. There aren't many possible interpretations, what you're seeing is ugly, warped. Leave uncertain what to do.
What do I do? How should I feel when compared to one of his illustrations?
I admit candidly to worship the choice of color and, and literally, for the unique textures created by large and irregular strokes of crayons. I'm attract and at the same time destabilized the lack of expressiveness of the eyes. I admit to not being able to understand desire convey of Guim Tio Zarraluki. What he want get to? I struggled for quite a while until I found here an interview to the artist who has finally dispelled some doubts.
After having narrated something personal: nationality (Spain), education (Art school in Barcelona), influences (…grandparents painters!), finally, the issue becomes more interesting and starts telling what are his inspirations:
“In this latest project entitled Magazine, there is a clear influence of fashion and the concept of beauty. In my studio I have lots of fashion magazines that I work with to do my work, the beauty that deforms sold there and so I think.”
His idea seems to be distorting reality, show body, the face in particular as an extremist form of empty. As in some advertising, maybe those fashionable portraying beautiful girls expressionless (little pissed off), almost always photo retouched to improbable perfection. In fact, Guim Tió uses true real brand advertising pages and literally covers with thick strokes of coloured wax, while leaving some splash of reality. A mouth… a nose. Something emerges, the rest remains buried under inexpressive eyes, sharp teeth.
Visit his blog to see other illustrations.
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