#30289 I C Certamen

The work presents itself as a grid composed of sixteen distinct square panels, each containing a separate visual element arranged in a deliberate and somewhat unsettling manner. The dominant motif throughout is footwear – shoes, boots, sneakers – rendered with varying degrees of realism and stylistic approach. These are interspersed with other images: a portrait, a fragment of text, a depiction of a man holding an object, and a stylized emblem.
The upper left panel features a black-and-white image reminiscent of vintage propaganda or advertising. A figure is shown in profile, seemingly emitting sound waves, accompanied by Spanish text that appears to be a call to listen. This immediately introduces a sense of external influence and potential manipulation. Adjacent to this, we see a pair of laced shoes, painted with meticulous detail, suggesting an emphasis on the mundane and everyday. The color palette shifts dramatically in the following panel, showcasing vibrant red sneakers – a stark contrast that disrupts any immediate visual harmony.
The central row continues the theme of footwear, presenting polished black dress shoes alongside a draped piece of fabric, rendered with a focus on texture and light. A man’s hand holding what appears to be a weapon is depicted in another square, injecting an element of threat and violence into the composition. The juxtaposition of these elements – formal attire next to potential aggression – creates a palpable tension.
The portrait in the center of the grid commands attention with its stylized depiction of a woman resembling a playing card queen. Her gaze is direct and unwavering, contributing to the overall sense of unease and artificiality. This panel disrupts the predominantly realistic rendering found elsewhere, introducing an element of fantasy or theatricality.
The lower row mirrors the structure of the upper rows, featuring more shoes – worn leather boots alongside pristine white sneakers – before culminating in a panel containing text: The life-line is firm thanks to MERCHANT NAVY. This phrase, coupled with the recurring motif of footwear, suggests themes of labor, travel, and perhaps even confinement or obligation. The final square displays an intricate emblem, its meaning obscured by its fragmented presentation within the grid.
Subtexts within this work appear to revolve around notions of identity, power, and control. The repeated imagery of shoes can be interpreted as symbolic of journeys undertaken, roles assumed, or paths followed – both literal and metaphorical. The inclusion of propaganda, weaponry, and a stylized portrait hints at broader societal forces at play, suggesting an exploration of how individuals are shaped by external influences and systems of authority. The overall effect is one of fragmented narrative, where individual elements resist easy interpretation, inviting the viewer to construct their own meaning from the disparate pieces presented.