Mario Pavez

MARIO PAVEZ (Chile, 1974).
"Casi se nos pasa el pollo", 2023.
Oil on canvas.
Attached purchase invoice from Jorge Alcolea Gallery.
Signed and dated in the lower right corner.
Measurements: 200 x 200 cm.
The theme of this work is described in the biblical book of Judith, belonging to the Old Testament, the story of this Hebrew widow, in the midst of Israel's war against the Babylonian army, erroneously called Assyrian. With beautiful features, high education and enormous piety, religious zeal and patriotic passion, Judith discovers that the invading general, Holofernes, has fallen in love with her. Accompanied by her maid, the widow descends from her walled city besieged by the foreign army and, deceiving the soldier into believing she is in love with him, manages to enter his tent. Once there, instead of yielding to his gallant claims, she intoxicates him. When Holofernes falls asleep, Judith cuts off his head, sowing confusion in the Babylonian army and thus obtaining victory for Israel. This is a frequent theme in the history of art, mainly from the baroque period onwards, although in this case it is shown from a completely contemporary perspective.
Mario Paves' work is based on figuration, influenced by a naturalistic style inspired by the Baroque. However, his palette, ascribed to modernity, is nourished by bright and expressive tones that share the limelight with a delicate care for drawing. Mario Paves began his artistic training studying at the University of Fine Arts in Chile, graduating in 2001. Two years later he moved to Spain to study for a scholarship at the Fundación Arte y Autores Contemporáneos. He continued in Madrid where he studied a Master's Degree in Theory and Practice of Contemporary Fine Arts at the University and later, he received his doctorate at the Complutense University. He has exhibited his work internationally in places such as England, Spain and Chile. Throughout his career he has participated in numerous art fairs, among which stand out; Kiaf, Taipei Art Fair, Room Art Fair or Asia Contemporary Art Show and Art Madrid, where he has attended on several occasions. In 2010 he was awarded the XI National Painting Prize of the Royal Academy of Fine Arts of San Carlos in Valencia.