Guest Contribution by Pascal Panagiotidis
Who could imagine that the cruel reality can be the force for creating so interesting concepts. From Mexico borders where Migrants' dreams of a better life die hard, comes Sebastian's inspiration. Sebastian made these designs when he was living in Tijuana (Baja California, Mexico) which is one of the most problematic borders (with USA) in Mexico. He used holes starting with the "hunting concept" with a series of trees, animals, humans and objects as nothing can be saved from the bullets, then he started working on different hale pierced objects, such as the hale table and lamps, but even though the violent concept he really likes to find beauty to all the pieces he works in.
additional text by Carlos Pascual
Natural Urbano / Sebastián Beltrán
The artistic work of Sebastian Beltran moves among various three-dimensional disciplines –that critics may define as sculpture, art object, utility design, etc.- Beltran does this with such ease and intelligence that he astounds and seduces us.
With a minimalist approach, Beltran makes his statement using classic abstractions or stylized figures. Using basic materials such as cement, porcelain, aluminum cans, wood, lacquer and the like, he conveys his concepts with humor and amazing perception.
In Sebastian Beltran’s work, the concepts do not overload the piece; they breathe with tranquility, residing naturally in the materials. Possibly, in none of his works is this feature clearer than in his extraordinary piece, Corazón, of which the Baja California artist spoke:
“The Corazón piece (image above) arises from the restlessness about the fine line between life and death that we confront everyday, especially us living in the city of Tijuana. It symbolizes the hope that we can maintain it [the heart] full and alive before someone tries to break into it, despite the many scars that appear on it. The heart and air are two essential elements of life. I like the sculptures that can be touched and this is a piece that can be held in both hands; in spite of its darkness or recycled material, or maybe because of that, it awakens the feeling that the heart can revive; it’s just a matter of connecting it to a compressor to have it palpitate again.”
