Maria Lago’s new series, Exodus, will be on exhibit at Maria Lago Studio 502 in Beacon throughout the month of October. These paintings are a continuation of Lago’s traditional expressionistic style that combines works of strong color, brush and texture with messages of spiritual and social matters.
Lago has been mining this vein for the last 25 years in New York, exhibiting throughout the metro region and in her native homeland of Spain. Maria Lago Studio 502 in Beacon has been her working studio and exhibit space since the spring of 2011.
The new works are concerned with the experience of higher awareness and spiritual revelation that results from the movement of peoples throughout the world. The paintings show groups of seemingly displaced and anonymous peoples moving though landscapes that are familiar and yet foreign at the same time.
The landscapes seem to be moving and changing along with the journey the assembled groups or tribes of people seem to be undertaking. Although the urban, rural, and lunar geographies change, the paintings imply that the collective immigrant and migratory experience leads to a better place. As the title of the paintings Exodus refers to the biblical reference, the works portray an age-old story replaying itself throughout the millennium and still happening today.
“These works deal with persecution and human rights violations that create refugees in underdeveloped countries, as well as legal and illegal immigrants moving in search of work, food and shelter in developed countries,” explains Lago. An immigrant herself, the works provide insight into the personal story of an established artist who is very much enjoying the journey.
Maria Lago Studio 502 is located at 502 Main St. in Beacon. For more information, call 845-765-8421 or visit her website.
