Essay

Discovering Navar

Artist Gabriel Navar paints with deceptive sophistication. Putting aside the obvious- his interest in nature, nurture, meditation, bliss and recyclables/regeneration- his is an approach that presents the obvious but then goes on to subvert it. Looking at his works one readily sees the familiar. Why does the artist repeatedly use portraits of himself and his wife? Why does he utilize a straightforward realist painting technique? And what of the easily recognized symbols, motifs and actions? These are the outstanding visual cues that manifest his recent works (1998 - 2000.)

But as deceptively approachable and "understandable" Navar's works seem, they go much further. The repeated use of identical portraits ground the pictures and establishes the familiar. The same effect is augmented by the use of a realist/figurative painterly style. These elements provide comfort and continuity and allow us to approach the works with a certain sense of casualness. It is only with the artist's utilization of surrealism that a hint of transcendence emerges. This is often the turning point within the works. When you reach this point either your trip ends with an amiable and pleasant viewing experience or your subjective rocket booster kicks into overdrive.

For then you realize that the seemingly straightforward images and presentation are actually manipulated from a deeply sub-conscious network, spun around and re-opened to a sense of wonder. These sensations do not give meaning as much as seek it. The works do not resolve but orchestrate their images to establish a field of meaning. When you reach this level of understanding you have begun the journey toward realization. Seek, and you shall find.

Amit May
October 2000