Bode Projects is pleased to present a solo booth by Alteronce Gumby at Zona Maco. Featuring black gemstones in waves of color, the work is inspired by the artist's first trip to Mexico City; in particular, an experience he had at Teotihuacan, The Pyramid of the Sun. Through the work, Gumby ruminates on the Aztecs' cosmic perspective as well as their use of obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic rock. A multifunctional mineral, obsidian held both symbolic and practical uses for Mesoamericans that extended from decorative jewelry to mirrors and ritualistic weapons.
In this new body of work, Gumby incorporates black obsidian, labradorite, shungite, black tourmaline and black kyanite, considering the meaning of the color black through material, energy, art history, social color codes and the associations of grounding and protection. Inspired by artists such as Ad Reinhardt, Pierre Soulages and Mark Rothko - all of whom explored the dark tonality in color - Gumby's pieces delve into the allure of darkness while exploring the cosmic energy of light. By mixing fluorescent colors with black gemstones, a vibrant undertone is brought to the work. A bit of a push-pull occurs here, much like the constant contrasts and energies of life.
