NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED
SOLO EXHIBITION BY:
featuring Carl Modelo
SHARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Perhaps translated from Qui onques rien n’enprist riens n’achieva (“One who never undertook anything never gained anything”), Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained is an oft-quoted saying that has been around since the 1500s, though it might have been cited in historical papers even earlier than that. It’s about taking risks and benefitting from those ventures, inspiring faith and fulfilment in the same breath.
It is also the title of Carl Modelo’s second solo exhibition, where the artist draws on personal experience, growth and character development. During the past two years of the pandemic, he has emerged stronger and more determined in creating his own special brand of art. Stepping out of his comfort zone, he found himself learning new things and making new friends. In his art production, Modelo went into new techniques and materials pointing him to a slightly different direction, though he does keep a “greatest hits” list of tricks up his sleeves. His bubblegum pastel palette remains, as well as his lighthearted characters who, though unabashedly contemporary, spout the wisdom of the ages.
Ain’t no mountain high enough is a range of three friendly landforms seemingly egging a climber in encouragement, knowing that they might appear as obstacles to the naked eye, growing bigger while one progresses further and reaching more goals. The key is moving on to bigger challenges and conquering higher peaks. This group of threes is echoed in The Council, who the artist looks up to for inspiration and guidance. Though they might appear lofty and unreachable through spike-dotted grounds, Modelo keeps them within sight, checking every now and then if they are proud of him yet. The shadow behind me goes by the adage “Keep your face always toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you”, or maintaining positivity though the clutches of darkness looms in the background amidst falling rain. The figure’s head echoes the triangular repetitions of The Tower in the middle of nowhere, symbolizing strength and the power to overcome. Towers are fortresses of security and defense, giving a vantage point that goes over a wide area being patrolled, and helping one overcome seemingly insurmountable circumstances. Lost but found shows a figure camouflaged by colorful foliage, signifying being immersed in the process of creating art. Walking in my shoes portrays a cheery creature making great strides towards a desired destination, but it also beseeches understanding and perception beyond what is usually seen. Get up exposes a figure seemingly entangled in a flurry of twisted limbs, fallen yet still with a smile on its face, a reminder to show up everyday despite obstacles.
As Modelo’s works depict his life experiences through failures and success, he follows his own thesis that the benefit far outweighs the cost. There is no gain without pain, and risk taking brings forth the rewards that await in the end. The sharp points and jagged edges that populate his canvases caution one in negotiating life’s convoluted paths, but never stop anyone from moving forward, just pushes them to keep on keeping on. And we do, buoyed by knowing there is always something to look forward to.
Kaye O’Yek
