CALLA LILIES OR ALCATRACES, 2016
The exhibition for Calla Lilies or Alcatraces. Homage to Diego Rivera was held in February 2016 at the Mexican Embassy.
The idea for this exhibition came from the discovery of a book that Heimler & Proc found on a trip to Paris, which featured on the cover a picture of Diego Rivera’s painting Nude with Calla Lilies, 1944. Heimler & Proc were struck by certain aspects that bridged them to Rivera and New Zealand to Mexico. The following is a summary written by Heimler & Proc.
“The calla lily, a sensual, sculptured flower, is a quintessential example of Mexico’s exuberant flora. It is celebrated throughout Rivera’s work, particularly in frescoes depicting indigenous people carrying bundles of these magnificent plants. Notably, these floral offerings are often carried in baskets made of flax, using techniques similar to one employed by the Maori of New Zealand. In keeping with this fascinating cross-cultural similarity, we painted the symbols of the Aztec and the Maori on the flax objects common to both peoples that we borrowed from Rivera’s Nude with Calla Lilies and imported as an homage into our paintings.
On a more personal level, Nude with Calla Lilies made a special impression on us as a couple. We were drawn to the images of Rivera's wife, Frida Kahlo, her depiction sparking within us the idea for this exhibition. Rivera and Kahlo mirror our work together as painters and also as life partners.”
Offering (90cm x 70cm)