Canvas she painted

Spanish painter Silvia Ortega looks to Nature, people and their interaction as inspiration for her art

Her works range from portraits of people from different cultural backgrounds, to the varying landscapes of Spain and the beauty of table-top flowers. The prints and engravings deal with abstract subjects. Done mostly in watercolours, Silvia Sanchez Ortega’s works are like a breath of fresh air. The Spanish artist, who is set to showcase her latest collection at ITC Grand Chola, says that while her works deal with various ideas, the underlying themes that remain are her understanding of human emotions, nature as she perceives it, and “the poetic justice that I use to express all that I have learnt and observed over the years”.

The artist says, “I like observing people and making their portraits. I’m also inspired by horizons, by limits and shores, and so have replicated various landscapes in Spain in my works. I also like to paint the minute and delicate details of flowers. A theme of abstract ideas that inspire me is also portrayed in my paintings and prints. A theme I’m constantly exploring is the harmony in the plant world, as opposed to the confusion and chaos in the human world. I also like to portray the constant interaction between the two worlds.”

Ortega, who began her tryst with art at a rather young age, says that her love for it stems from her love for observing the world around her. “As I grew, I used to observe a lot of things for the purpose of drawing and painting. I learnt how to observe for the sake of creating pieces of art. The more I observed, the more I learnt about the world and its people. This got me interested in drawing and painting people and landscapes, while adding my expression to these pieces.”

The many artists who inspire Ortega are Lita Cabellut, Alex Kanevsky and Gerhard Richter, among others. “I admire their style, but maintain my own individuality. I also admire the work of artists specialising in watercolours, as I teach watercolour painting,” she says.

The artist has earlier conducted workshops in the city and says she is excited to be coming back once again, this time to showcase her own creations. “I’m happy to associate with The Phoenix Company in India. They have brought me to the country under the initiative ‘The Arts of the World’. My previous workshops were well-received and I have been in touch with some of the participants who are likely to attend the advanced course this year. I enjoy visiting Chennai and appreciate Indian art and Indian food. Almost 25 years ago, I was a volunteer in The Theosophical Society at Adyar,” she recalls.

This time around, she says, she has a better understanding of the Indian audience in terms of art. She has brought pieces that she thinks will appeal to them for the show at ITC Grand Chola, which will be inaugurated by the Nawab of Arcot. Apart from the show, Ortega also has her hands full with advanced-level art workshops that she will conduct over the next few days.

Silvia Sanchez Ortega’s

show will be held at ITC Grand Chola on August 11 and 12. The show will be inaugurated today at 6.30 pm.