Page 252 - YGARTUA : The Work Of A Genius

In my work I endeavour to paint the individuality and passion

of each carnival, bringing this traditional, joyful world event
to other parts of the world. Every year, from February to

March, Carnival in Venice is held. It started in 1168 as a
celebration of the victory of the Republic of Venice against

Ulrico, Patriarch of Aquileia, and became an annual event
until it was banned by the King of Austria in 1797. It was

again re-established in 1979 and is again held annually. The
Venice Carnival is famous for the masks that everyone wears

and is very specific. Masks are a subject that I continually go
back to, once you have been to a Carnival in Venice, those

memories are always there, this is why it is such a joy to
experience the Carnivals throughout the world, it is another

world, where one can escape into another era, entertained
by the exotic masks, the inventive costumes, it is like a

medieval theatre.
THE WORLD OF CARNIVAL

Subject matter in each carnival is individual, but all carnivals
are exciting, inspirational and bring a perfect palette of color
and movement for the artist.

The El Gallo, the hotel where we stayed, was in the heart of
Venice, the owner of the hotel was infatuated with art and
artists and we were treated royally. During the carnival there

is an inexhaustible ambience of enthusiasm and excitement

that captivates and inspires all writers and artists to the
point of wanting to contribute to the exotic abundance of
enjoyment.

The Venice Carnival is one of the oldest in the world, going back
500 years, it is historical in its presentation of costumes from
the Renaissance and it is notorious for the competitions for the

most original mask and costume, bringing competitors and an

international audience from all over Europe and the world.

HIDDEN EXPRESSIONS, 2012 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 48X60 IN. | 121X152 CM. MYSTERY MASK, 2014 ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 48X48 IN. | 121X121 CM.

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