Esteban del Valle
Esteban del Valle: Which Ridge is Next
October 3 – 25, 2019
Mazmanian Gallery presents Esteban del Valle: Which Ridge is Next, a solo exhibition of recent drawings and a mixed media mural installation inspired by Esteban del Valle’s ongoing series Worst Day Ever, which subjects a conquistador to a relentless barrage of minor, yet annoying, first world inconveniences in contemporary Brooklyn. This body of work imagines the “off camera” personal life of a political cartoon. The main character functions as both a satirical figure and a caricature of the artist, hopefully with some relatable humanity. Del Valle’s never-ending inconveniencing of the conquistador becomes a space of revenge and self-reflection as the narrative dips in and out of autobiographical information. The vignettes reflect del Valle’s contemporary surroundings, taken from the Brooklyn landscape immediately around his home, and also reference his birthplace of Chicago, IL. Pushing the possibilities of drawing through a mixed media approach, Del Valle uses the humorous scenes to reflect on his complicated relationship to themes of power, neocolonialism, consumption, gentrification, as well as cultural identity and assimilation in relationship to del Valle’s experience living and working as an artist in New York.
Installation view of "Which Ridge is Next"
Installation view of "Which Ridge is Next"
Installation view of "Which Ridge is Next"
Installation view of "Which Ridge is Next"
"Worst Day Ever: First Snow in Bushwick (aka Something in the Water)," Color pencil, marker, and spray paint on paper, 14 x 14 inches, 2019
"Worst Day Ever: Conquistador thwarted by bodega umbrellas, again," Marker, ink, acrylic, graphite, china marker, Sakura solid marker, gouache, spray paint on paper on panel, 48 x 48 inches, 2019
"Worst Day Ever: Conquistador brushing his teeth," Ink and marker on paper, 10 x 8 inches, 2018
"Conquistador trying to get on the subway (study for “Worst Day Ever” series)," Ink on paper, 10 x 8 inches, 2018
"Conquistador trying to get on the subway (study for “Worst Day Ever” series)," Ink on paper, 10 x 8 inches, 2018
"Worst Day Ever: Conquistador drops his iPhone in Chinatown, again," Ink and marker on paper, 10 x 8 inches, 2018
"Worst Day Ever: Conquistador paints his window trim Antique White," West Elm Vase (terracotta, handmade in Philippines), acrylic, wood, plaster, plastic, paper, foam, and black beans, 13 x 6 1/2 inches, 2019
"Worst Day Ever: Bird of Paradise in Brooklyn Café," Color pencil, marker, and spray paint on paper, 14 1/2 x 10 1/2 inches, 2018
"Transplants: The discovery of Humboldt Park," Acrylic on raw canvas, 5 x 6 feet, 2017
"Worst Day Ever: Brooklyn Landscape," Color pencil, marker, and spray paint on paper, 14 x 10 1/2 inches, 2018
"Worst Day Ever: Never eat soggy… what?," Marker, acrylic, ink, china marker, graphite, oil stick, gouache, and spray paint on paper, 29 3/4 x 41 inches, 2019
This exhibition was supported by Arts & Ideas and Council on Diversity and Inclusion at Framingham State University. For more information about the artist visit Esteban del Valle’s website.