The Cuban-born, Cleveland-based artist Augusto Bordelois is showing some striking works at Cleveland State U. The exhibition, titled “Based on a True Story,” is filled with large-format paintings full of bold colors and simple shapes that burst their frames and overflow the shallow space, as in the accompanying photo.
Painting by Bordelois
The designs are strong although simple; shapes and devices are repeated throughout. The figurative paintings are filled with symbolism that never strays from the benign, humorous, and superficial.
When I walked into the gallery, I was immediately reminded of another artist whom I first encountered in New York in the 80’s. His posters were widely seen in the Village and other tourist haunts. I couldn’t for the life of me remember the artist’s name. Once again Google came to the rescue. Searching for ‘comic figure painters’ produced Botero.
Painting by Botero
The Colombian-born Botero fills his large canvases to the bursting with simple, repeated shapes that are unfailingly humorous. I suspect his fellow Latin American had a deep influence on Bordelois.