About

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Projects

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Figure & Ground

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McAtamney Gallery, Geraldine 

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March, 2024
In Figure and Ground Mark’s work embodies intricate forms floating between presence and absence, solid and void, as the interplay of text and surrounding space vie for position.

Hand-cut stencils from letterforms create crisp edges corralling the dynamic energy of gestural mark-making. Metallic surfaces reflect and distort, mirroring the push-pull between figure and ground. Words, cropped and fragmented, whisper of specific locales—swaths of sand cradling delicate flora and fauna. References to the artist’s past and the colonial overtones that shaped geographical landmarks where he grew up infuse the textual fragments with a subtle tension.

Soltero’s meticulous process— thin, semi-transparent layers of paint applied with squeegees—create infinite layers of space. The crisp, opaque fragments standing in stark contrast to the sense of infinite depth created by translucencies, are both grounding and isolating. This interplay extends beyond the canvas, drawing the viewer’s gaze into the negative space surrounding the text. Are the letters emerging from the void, or voids carved into a vibrant ground? Soltero masterfully blurs the line, inviting viewers to actively participate in constructing meaning.

The fragmented texts themselves hint at hidden narratives. Place names—from the artist’s personal history—emerge like whispers from the painted surface. Yet, they remain incomplete, their full stories obscured. Audiences are able to draw upon their own experiences and memories, creating their own interpretations. The artwork becomes a catalyst for personal reflection, prompting viewers to confront the complex relationship between individual histories and broader collective narratives.

©MMXXIVMark Soltero – Visual Artist