The pangolin today is the most trafficked insectivorous mammal in the world. It is on the podium of critically endangered species. In both continents where it lives, it is persecuted for its exotic meat and its scales. Something very illogical to think and reason why the artist stopped to manifest himself accordingly…
With this work, Gonzalo proposes a great cultural change.
The work THE PANGOLIN is a key to the new consciousness. Through it, the artist seeks to honor childhoods and a defenseless species that still inhabits the planet.
The contemplation of this little animal becomes visible through the expression in its gaze and its colors.
“The pangolin is at risk of becoming extinct from this world before most people get to know it. This is my pangolin and it is a harlequin, it was born to transform the way we connect with the species…”
The harlequin throughout history was a resource and object of study…
The harlequin was a very popular character in the commedia dell’arte, a theatrical modality that emerged in Italy in the mid-16th century with striking clothing and whose purpose was to perform tricks, be showy, do things out of place and not so conventional. keeping the audience disengaged and happy.
In 1888-90 Paul Cézanne painted “The Harlequin”, in 1901 Pablo Picasso made “The Thoughtful Harlequin” and in 1919 Juan Gris immortalized “The Harlequin with guitar”.
Emilio Pettoruti in 1925 also made a series of works with this theme, after being with the futurists and cubists in Europe, he returns to Argentina and is one of those who “bring modernity” to Buenos Aires.
These artists are just a few who have made some of the most famous performances. The theme has been widely exploited by artistic research between the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today in the 21st century it takes shape again…