Contraposto/ Fertility Figure, 2007-2020

Loriel Beltrán (b. 1985, Caracas, Venezuela) is recognized for his innovative exploration of material, process, and perception within contemporary painting. Working primarily with layered applications of industrial paints, Beltrán compresses and reconfigures his medium into solid strata that he then cuts, sands, or arranges into wood panels. This method transforms paint from a surface treatment into a sculptural substance, challenging the conventions of picture-making and blurring the boundaries between painting and object. His practice speaks to both the material history of abstraction and the cultural histories of Latin America, where the poetics of construction and deconstruction carry particular resonance.

Contraposto / Fertility Figure (2007–2020) exemplifies Beltrán’s signature approach. Executed in acrylic latex on wood panel at a scale of 70 × 45 inches, the work reveals a striking surface dominated by luminous yellow-gold tones. Its decorative sophistication is balanced by a sculptural physicality, inviting viewers to experience it simultaneously as image, object, and architectural presence. The title evokes both classical form (contrapposto) and primal archetype (fertility figure), underscoring the artwork’s dialogue between timeless human references and the modernist language of material abstraction. With its radiant palette and commanding scale, this piece stands as a powerful example of Beltrán’s ability to transform industrial mediums into works of striking elegance and depth.