Italy, 2026
Ink on Japanese paper
The Aloe Candelabra Flowers Drawings extend Montes’ painterly research into a meditative, linear dimension. Central to the series is the aloe candelabra flower, a symbol of rebirth and resilience, linked to ancient Egyptian funerary rituals, valued for its medicinal properties, and known for its autonomy and cyclical blooming, often around the Christmas period. Drawing inspiration from the vertical format and contemplative nature of traditional thangka painting, as well as from Japanese ukiyo-e prints, particularly Songs of the Garden by Utamaro, the series unfolds across delicate Japanese paper using specially prepared pigments. The expressive linearity also recalls the graphic intensity of Schiele and the meticulous draftsmanship of Dürer, creating a dialogue between Eastern and Western traditions. Suspended between precision and spontaneity, each composition capture the rhythm and movement of botanical forms, evoking a contemplative space in which nature, memory, and mark-making converge.
W 138 x D 2 x H 310 cm - W 54.33 x D 0.79 x H 122.05 in
