Raúl Díaz invites us to seek refuge in a secret universe that exists within each of us – a soothing, friendly space characterized by the presence of beauty and the solitude of personal soul searching that rarely surfaces amidst the chaos of contemporary life. Evoked by the artist’s memories of his childhood, the mystical quietude of Díaz’s artworks is deeply personal and indicative of his own spiritual adventure. The images produce a sense of nostalgia and stillness that compels the viewer to reflect on their own life and their place within the endless story of history.
The surface of Díaz’s paintings are wooden panels, embossed on handmade papers. He uses unique mixed techniques to produce a tactile impression on the surface of wood and paper that contributes to his otherworldly images. Díaz’s sculpture takes these images into three dimensions, creating a new experience for the viewer and expanding Díaz’s own technical prowess. In his practice, he leans into experimentation throughout his oeuvre, employing wood, bronze, resin, stone, marble, ceramics, handmade paper, dry pigments, chalk, acrylic, and watercolor. In what he calls his “permanent search”, Díaz explores and manipulates new materials so that they deftly suit his distinctive style and themes.
Since his first exhibitions in the early 1980s, Díaz has shown an inclination towards expressing himself through the human figures. Díaz’s construction of the figure is forged from an abstracted ethereal conception rather than an anatomical representation of the human form. The characters that appear in his works are planar, out of scale silhouettes in poses of peaceful work or contemplation. The depth of color and textures in the backgrounds of Díaz’s artworks create a dream-like atmosphere, whether they be serene mountains or stacked kites or boats. Drawing imagery from his childhood memories of lake fishing with his father and grandfather, the sight of wooden fishing boats, either dotting the water or stacked on the beach, is indelible in the artist’s memory, and these same vessels frequently appear in the work. The simplicity of the figures against these dynamic, yet still harmonious, backgrounds instill a sense of calm in the viewer that is distinctive of Díaz’s works.
Raúl Díaz was born in 1952 in Córdoba, Argentina. In 1990, he moved to Unquillo in the province of Córdoba, where he continues to live and produce his art. Although Díaz studied architecture, he could not avoid the overwhelming calling he had within himself to be a painter. Self-taught, Díaz has emerged as one of Argentina's most prominent artists. Since 1995, he has participated in National and International Art Fairs, and in numerous group exhibitions in Argentina and abroad. He has had individual exhibitions in Córdoba, Buenos Aires, the United States, Holland, Spain and Italy. He has also received important awards, including the Grand Prize from the National Painting Salon of the Pro-Arte Foundation, Córdoba (1990). In 2005, he held a solo exhibition at the Sivori Museum of Plastic Arts in Buenos Aires, and in 2010, Díaz had a solo exhibition at the Emilio Caraffa Museum in Córdoba. His works are found in important private and museum collections in the countries where he has exhibited his works.