Abigail Varela, Latin American Master Abigail Varela Sculpture Relief Plaque Woman with Heart, 2008

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Abigail Varela (1948-) Atrapando un corazón 2008 Madera, resina y acrílico Catching a Heart Wood, Resin and Acrylic Hand signed … Read more Abigail Varela (1948-) Atrapando un corazón 2008 Madera, resina y acrílico Catching a Heart Wood, Resin and Acrylic Hand signed verso with initials and dated 2008 This is a rare, unique piece done for a children's charity and sold at auction. The last photo is a screenshot of the catalogue. Abigail Varela (1948-) is a Venezuelan visual artist. He is best known for bronze sculptures representing pre Columbian nude abstract feminine figures interpreted in modern style in poses that suggest motion. Varela began his art education under Japanese ceramicist Hiroshi Kawajiri followed by courses at art schools in Caracas, Venezuela. Varela produces flat silhouetted large sculpture, evolving into classic cast bronzes with a polished dark finish. Other works are made in solid aluminum. Varela belongs to the "tradition of the primitive" which started in the twentieth century. Artists such as Constantin Brancusi and Henry Moore. It is not uncommon to find a certain family resemblance between some heads sculpted by Henry Moore and those of Varela, as the English sculptor sought inspiration in pre-Columbian carvings and ceramics. Varela's favorite theme is femininity in bulky shapes that somehow manage to suggest lightness and movement. His shapes have been likened to those of the Venus of Willendorf. A touch of humor inhabits many of Varela's sculptures in a similar vein to Colombian artist Fernando Botero. Varela has been shown along side many of the Latin American art stars including Olga de Amaral, Mario Carreno, Harry Abend, Carlos Cruz-Diez, Rafael Coronel, Wifredo Lam, Humberto Jaimes Sanchez, Sigfredo Chacon, Emilio Boggio, Jesus Rafael Soto, Francisco Hung, Marco Miliani, Arnaldo Roche, Roberto Matta, Oswaldo Vigas, Pedro León Zapata, Rafael Barrios, Mateo Manaure, Olga Albizu, Oswaldo Subero, Miguel Sanoja, Juan Vicente Fabbiani and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Varela's art is noted in Venezuela and beyond. His work has been exhibited in New York (Katharina Rich Perlow Gallery), London (Cynthia Bourne Gallery), San Salvador (Galería Espacio), Coral Gables (Galería Freites-Revilla) and Boca Raton (Elaine Baker Gallery) among other places. A retrospective of Varela's art was presented at the BOD Center in Caracas in 2014. In 2018 his work was chosen (among 22 pieces) for exhibition at the CAF gallery (Caracas) representing Times and Trends in Latin American Sculpture. His art has been reviewed in essays and books. His pieces occupy the art collections of Venezuelan institutions such as the National Art Gallery (Caracas), Contemporary Art Museum, Empresas Polar Foundation and Fundación Cultural Chacao. It is found in open-air art museums in Venezuelan locations (Mérida, Valencia, Aroa and Margarita Island) as well as in Huelva (Spain) and at the Suncheon Bay National Garden, Korea. Recognition In 2014 Varela was awarded the Omar Carreño Prize for Plastic Arts offered jointly by the Venezuelan Architects Association and the National Association of Plastic Artists. Varela's name is listed in established artist directories including ULAN, Artnet, Christie's, Benezit, in Marta Traba's Art of Latin America and in Leonard's Price Index of Latin American Art. See less