Seventh Exhibtion

EstebanDorado_1
EstebanDorado_3
EstebanDorado_2
  • EstebanDorado_1
  • EstebanDorado_3
  • EstebanDorado_2

EXHIBIT is proud to present “The Tomb of Esteban Dorado” by Danny Sangra.

Inspired by the bizarre tale of Esteban Dorado, this body of work portrays a fable about an adventurer trapped in a tomb of gold.

High volume, eccentric and bursting with energy in neon colours, Sangra’s work often captures a psychedelic quality that leads one to see beyond what is merely in front of the eye. The vigorous power conjured in his work mercilessly penetrates into the deep and dark places of one’s mind and further. Contrasting with the dark background of the gallery, Danny describes drawing as the ‘only surviving means’ in the desperate moment to keep Esteban Dorado sane. This body of work resonates the state of anxiety and exhaustion of an artist, who only draws to live and lives to draw. It also suggests that the body, being prison to one’s soul, is in constant struggle of trying to break free.

In The Tomb of Esteban Dorado, the comic-like quality reminiscent of superheroes from American pop culture is twisted in Danny’s hand to celebrate his ‘anti-heroes’. After all, be the tomb full of gold or not; be him a hero or not, it would make no difference to the ending of the story of Esteban Dorado. A realisation perhaps, in the grown up world where childhood hopes and beliefs fail us, hero or non-hero, we struggle all the same.

12 September – 5 October 2007