Pau Aguiló

Gone West

First exhibition of Pau Aguiló at Pelaires Cabinet.

Gone West, described by Pau Aguiló as "an ode to solitude", can be seen as a portrayal of an inquiry into one's sense of self. Focusing on the ubiquitous aspects of the human condition, the series captures the artist's deeply personal allegorical visions and reactions to James Massiah's New Poems (Volume One to Four).

The actual concept was developed as a result of Aguiló's incidental acquaintance with Massiah and subsequent exposure to his work. Instantly moved by its genuineness and relatability, Aguiló decided to create visual interpretations of Massiah's verses and focus on the written word to guide his compositions, which lead him to a new approach to painting: the process entailed a thorough dissection of the poems, whereby the artist selected phrases that had the potential to form compelling compositions, elements, or symbols. These laid the foundations for his painterly narratives, ultimately resulting in an array of imaginary worlds inhabited by authentic and palpable experiences.

In essence, Gone West explores the human condition through sincere introspection. Despite the fictitious and at times whimsical imagery, the canvases maintain an incredibly empathetic feel, prompting the viewers to grapple with the struggles they are bound to confront over the course of their lives.

Aguiló chose to make the series in Algaida, Mallorca, in the forest where he spent his childhood years. This isolated location allowed him to paint for longer periods of time without the distractions of the outside world. He worked on the canvases simultaneously to create a sense of uniformity in the palette and composition of the entire series, although in some works there are differences between the final result and his reference poems. Confined in seclusion, he was able to create intimate reverberations of the poems through his own lens, incorporating the characteristics of the provincial and remote environment into his compositions. Most importantly, the isolation allowed him to escape the hectic city of London and spend time reflecting on his experiences in the bustling metropolis in a completely different, familiar yet nostalgic environment. Thus, Pau anchored his conceptual trajectory in autobiographical references, especially in his transition and adaptation to London and its unfamiliar culture. In this way, the works allude to the artist's experience of migration to Western Europe and its bustling cities full of hustle and bustle, energy and noise, which, paradoxically, can often be alienating.

he paintings depict solitary figures wandering through vast landscapes and isolated houses. At times, these figures have a clear purpose, acting as an affirmation, while at others they seem to be lost and aimless. The protagonists, with a bittersweet nature, seem to be pervaded by a sense of omnipresent danger, manifested through vivid formal choices, such as bursts of color or dynamic lines. Although some works in the series feature war-filled imagery, rubble, and implied violence, in others the conflict is not presented tangibly, but indirectly, sometimes directed at oneself, evoking an inherent melancholy. Nostalgia and sentimentality are also key elements in the overall experience of the series. All of these elements may be familiar to us: the doubt and questioning of our own actions and moral choices, along with the empathy and affinity reflected by the characters, allow the viewer to imagine themselves in their shoes.

In short, Gone West is a reflection of memory, of one's own experiences and of one's own memories. In this exhibition, Aguiló faces alienation, loss, sacrifice, and uncertainty, but also tenderness and compassion, letting her canvases narrate the painful and complex existence of the human being.

Katerina Panasenko