Academia Cotopaxi I.B. Art: Cristian 2011

In both my paintings and my photos, I focused on human intervention on landscapes. Initially my investigation was aimed towards the beauty of Ecuadorian landscapes but my interest tended towards human alteration of the landscape. I portray these landscapes in photographs, paintings and pencil drawings.

Initially my photography was completely directed into capturing the beauty of nature. I focused on dawns, sunsets, and on the effects of sun light on landscapes. I wanted to depict the effects of the sun on the land, sky and clouds. But as my investigation went forward I noticed something in my photographs - as well as depicting the beauty of nature I noticed how much these landscapes had been altered by humans and they no longer are what they used to be. These completely changed the route and purpose of my investigation. From simply depicting the beauty of landscapes, now I want to depict something much more profound. I try to depict both the beautiful scenery that will pass unnoticed by most people and also the manmade scars on them.

In order to turn these photographs into actual paintings I am using both an abstract and realistic style. Instead of drawing manually I use technology to edit my photographs – I alter their naturalism. Although the landscape may look more like digital image than realistic photograph after editing, I try to keep the sense that it is a still a landscape.

In my final investigation I have actually dissolved the images with ‘drips’ and ‘runs’ of paint – reducing the beauty of Ecuadorian flora and fauna and symbolizing how we humans are destroying it. I hope my art will show people how beautiful our country is, and yet, how much we have altered it.