Pashon in Landhuis Bloemhof
Gwen Garcia’s work is in the spotlight at Landhuis Bloemhof. The woodcarver, born in Curaçao, invites visitors to explore the interplay between emotions, pride, and identity in his second exhibition,
Pashon (Passion).
Opening: December 2, 2023,
Time: 10:30 AM,
Speaker: Dominique Adriaens.
Pashon will be on display until January 6, 2024.
Self-taught woodcarver
As a self-taught woodcarver, Gwen Garcia combines various types of wood to create an entirely new narrative by bringing together the growth rings. The growth rings symbolize Gwen’s family’s connection with art and each other.
Gwen uses various wood types, such as mahogany, medlar, and willow. The layering in his work invites the viewer to look closely for hidden stories. In this, the subtle influence of his father can be identified. Gwen is the eldest son of renowned painter Wilson Garcia.
Source of Inspiration
Gwen Garcia’s mother, who passed away in 2018, remains a constant source of inspiration. Her unwavering belief in her son’s talent led him to embrace his passion for woodcarving and share his work with the world. “You have to do something with your drawings, etchings, and paintings”, his mother would tell him. “She saw much more than I wanted or could see at the time. She never gave up trying to reach me”, Gwen adds.
Artistic Journey
Gwen’s journey is one of transformation. After finishing high school in Curaçao, he moved to the Netherlands, where he initially studied at the Conservatorium in Utrecht before switching to history and drawing. After that, he earned a living in ICT as a technical consultant, and today, he works as a consultant at a major company in Utrecht.
His artistic path took a significant turn in 2020 when he held his first exhibition, Profundo, at Landhuis Bloemhof, with the support of the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied.
Pashon
With the exhibition Pashon, Gwen explores how people perceive their history and heritage, including the indigenous people, the government, slavery, birth, death, and the complex realities of the modern world.
Pashon will be on display until January 6, 2024.
When reproducing the text above, please credit the source: Curaçao Art®️ www.curacao-art.com. The artist retains all image rights to their artworks.