Art: Juan Sanchez-Juarez Paintings, Drawings

Hidden treasures

By F. Andrew Taylor

I have to admit that the concept of art gallery as speakeasy is a new one to me. I've been to the S2Art Center many times, but always on First Friday. When I arrived last week to see its first painting show, I was surprised to find the doors locked. I called from my cell and a friendly voice told me to ring the doorbell for entrance. It wasn't until I hung up that I noticed there was no doorbell. I worked my way over to the delivery door where there were two doorbells, but it took several minutes of alternately ringing both before someone finally let me in.

Fortunately, the show was worth the chase. Artist Juan Sanchez-Juarez's work truly moved me. The work splits about evenly into three categories: figurative, abstract and work that isn't so abstract that you can't make out the figurative work inside it. He is adept at all three. Some of the abstract work has a curious color scheme evocative of the late '50s. There are certain pastels and color combinations that, despite the fact they work well together, have fallen out of vogue in design because they so distinctly recall a specific era. Thankfully, Juarez hasn't let this prejudice him against using the color scheme. There are also works in all three categories that artfully juxtapose vivid color against pale tones and deep blacks. All of the abstract work has a playful feel to it. One imagines the artist was having a great time experimenting with technique and with the feel and texture of the paint. The compositions have an easy, natural flow. Quite frankly, this is some of the first abstract work that I've enjoyed on a visceral level, without having to over-think the work.

The figurative pieces have a graphic feel to them. Several of these benefit from the aforementioned juxtaposition of bold colors and an almost chiaroscuro handling of the darks and lights. The figures are often cropped unusually, drawing focus to the lower half of the body. For the most part, they have a lush, fully rounded look to them. The volume is firmly described as tight, shimmering clothing stretches solidly over taut, well-formed muscles. Despite, or perhaps because of, all this attention to form, the figures exude a powerful sensuality.

S2Art has several fine galleries in town, which are always filled with interesting work and optimum viewing conditions. That said it's important to remember that the downtown center is a working studio first and a gallery maybe eighth or ninth. That said, it was worth ducking under several hundred drying lithographs to see this show.