Mixed media and glass sculpture artists Einar and Jamex de la Torre capture a frenetic globalization perspective, mixing a unique blend of cultural influences and political positioning, as two brothers share their time between studios based in Mexico and California. The de la Torre Brothers have created a new series of work for the upcoming SCOPE Art Show in Miami—Booth C21—featuring a new series of dimensional wall pieces and glass sculptures.
Einar and Jamex de la Torre present glass sculptures that provides the viewer with implications about our daily existence in the world—north of the Mexican border—south of the border—and coexisting in the middle while straddling both sides of the border challenged culturally, religiously and economically. (Above, El Cakeito, 13′x5′x4″ mixed media, resin castings and faceted glass, 2011).
Working in glass, brothers de la Torre approach contemporary notions with spirited imagination that often illustrates the delicate balance between modernist and traditionalist values. To prepare for their new work at SCOPE Art Show, I caught up with Einar de la Torre and asked him a couple of questions about this new body of work.
mM : Looking at your most recent works created for SCOPE, I love the themes of globalization and melding of cultural symbols : What were some of the personal perspectives that you captured in the new work? (Agua Fresca, Tara’s Teddys, Tarra’s Temple, Tara’s Baby. (Above, Tara’s Temple, 48x36x3″ mixed media, resin castings, faceted glass, 2011).
EINAR : After we made 'el cakeito' triptych we noticed how the Tara sculpture we photographed became generic deity of the non-denominational type. It seemed to express spirituality without necessarily speaking to religion.
mM : When working in glass you incorporate found objects, antique printed matter and a variety of different glass applications : How would you describe your style of glass work? Does each brother have their unique application that they then apply to the work? (Above, Tara’s Teddys, 48x36x3″ mixed media, resin castings, faceted glass, 2011).
EINAR : In these pieces we are using manipulated digital images and polyester resin castings. the glass is only hand faceted crystal pieces. Our blown glass work we see as expressionistic and spontaneous. We use drawings to decide what we want to make and use a variety of techniques and local help to produce the glass sculptures.
mM : What inspired the Tara’s series of mixed media glass panel pieces? Do you have a favorite moment that you uncovered in the development of the pieces?
EINAR : We love the way the Tara sculpture deteriorated and also the tagging that became textured layers on top of the paint. It has an old Buddhist feel with contemporary street art surface decoration. This made it a great image to continue the layering that is so emblematic of our work.
Kind thanks to Einar de la Torre for taking time out and answering a couple of questions. To learn more about Einar and Jamex de la Torre, two fine artists who travel both sides of the border creating whimsical socio and political glass sculptures—check out their website. (Above, El Cakeito, detail).
These glass panels will be a hit at the SCOPE Art Show held November 29 through December 4 at the Mindy Solomon Gallery booth C21. More from Art Basel in Miami and all related fairs. Happy Thanksgiving.