Tag: Eduardo and Mariá Eugenia Dávíla Portillo

Here Comes the Sun: Art and the Summer Solstice

June 17, 2026 0 Comment

Summer Solstice is the radiant first day of summer in the northern hemisphere. It arrives this week. It will be the longest day of the year and the shortest night. A holdover from pagan days, when our connection to nature was far, far closer, the solstice marks — among other things — the sun’s peak energy, the height of nature’s vitality and the boundary between seasons.  Not surprisingly, these are topics that engage artists. 

Sun Series wall baskets, Mary Merkel-Hess
60-61mm Sun Series, Mary Merkel-Hess, paper, reed, 6″ x 24″ x 24″,(each), 2013. Photos by Tom Grotta

We wish you a successful solstice and celebrate it with art. The summer solstice in art spans thousands of years, evolving from ancient astronomical monuments to romanticized folklore and expressive modern landscapes. Among the most famous is Summer Solstice (In Memory of the American Chestnut Tree), by Charles Burchfield (1893 -1967). Burchfield wanted to celebrate “this great moment when the sun and earth meet in their greatest intimacy—a truly mystical event—” by painting one of his grandest landscapes.

My Sun for Everyone, Lija Rage, 2018
31r My Sun for Everyone, Lija Rage, 2018. Photo by Tom Grotta

The primary hues are vibrant and earthy. They include sunny yellow and gold to represent the sun, peak solar energy, joy, and illuminations and lush geen: to symbolize fertility, abundance, growth, and the vibrant earth. Also featured in solstice celebrations are fiery orange and red to reflect passion, courage, and the transformative energy of fire like that in My Sun for Everyone by Lija Rage. Sky and water blue that echo the expansive summer sky, as you will see in Sol de la Tarde (by Eduardo Portillo and María Davíla, are yet another combination evoked by this event.

Sol de la Tarde (Mid Afternoon Sun), Eduardo Portillo & Mariá Eugenia Dávila
26pd Sol de la Tarde (Mid Afternoon Sun), Eduardo Portillo & Mariá Eugenia Dávila, silk , moriche palm fiber, copper filaments and natural dyes, 75″ x 37.5″, 2013

Cultures around the globe have historically celebrated this celestail event. Its core symbolic meanings encompass several universal themes, including: Triumph of Light: The abundance of daylight symbolizes enlightenment, the shedding of darkness, and the awakening of the spirit; and Abundance and Fertility: Historically viewed as the height of the growing season, the solstice represents the earth’s fertility, blossoming, and a bountiful harvest.

Sun Dial, Polly Barton
Detail: 18pb Sun Dial, Polly Barton, silk warp and weft, indigo pigment with soy milk. Ikat weft, 15″ x 12″, 2015. Photo by Tom Grotta

Also included are  Life Balance and Duality: Despite celebrating the maximum sunlight, the summer solstice also quietly marks the day the sun “stands still” and the days begin to shorten. This duality symbolizes the delicate balance between light and dark, action and stillness, epitomized in Polly Barton’s Sun Dial. Also represented, New Beginnings: The energetic shift toward summer is often used as a symbolic marker to let go of old patterns, set new intentions, and manifest personal growth. Emotional Summer,  by Young-ok Shin, explores this theme.

Emotional Summer, Young-ok Shin
10sy Emotional Summer, Young-ok Shin, Hand-wound Mosikuri, ramie, linen thread, 24″ x 18.5″ x 1.6″, 2025. Photo by Tom Grotta

We wish you all these and more. Happy Solstice!

Art Assembled – New This Week in July

August 1, 2024 0 Comment

July has been good to us here at browngrotta arts. We’ve started getting into our final planning phases for our  Fall 2024 “Art in the Barn” exhibition, Ways of Seeing – exploring ways individuals envision and curate art collections. The exhibition within the exhibition will feature distinct groupings: The Art Aquatic, art influenced by water; Impact: Women Artists to Collect, accomplished artists from the US and abroad; and Right-Sized, art compiled with specific parameters in mind. The exhibition will be open to the public September 21-29. We hope to see you there!

Outside of prepping for this exhibition, we’ve had the opportunity to introduce six artists in our New This Week series, including: James Bassler, Susie Gillespie, Eduardo and Mariá Eugenia Dávíla Portillo, Eva Vargo and Adela Akers.

Now, we’re recapping everything we covered so you don’t miss a thing! Read on for the full breakdown.

James Bassler
20jbas This Old House by James Bassler, multiple cotton and silk warps, patched together multiple sisal, silk, linen, agave, ramie wefts, synthetic and natural dyes. batik plain and wedge-weave construction, 27” x 42”, 2024. Photo by Tom Grotta.

We kicked off the month with a powerful feature on James Bassler‘s piece, This Old House. Timed with the 4th of July, this piece resonated deeply with the occasion. Since 1980, Bassler has been celebrated for his innovative textile work, drawing inspiration from diverse traditions such as the Navajo wedge-weave, Japanese shibori, and pre-Columbian scaffold weaves.

In “This Old House,” Bassler draws from Isabel Wilkerson’s book Caste, which likens America to an old house, with the caste system of slavery being as foundational as the studs and joints. The piece’s flag design, adorned with wax resist and a rich array of woven elements, pays homage to the African textile traditions brought to Virginia in 1619, symbolizing the loss of identity and culture imposed by slavery.

Not only is this work profound, but it also stands out for its stunning complexity.

Susie Gillespie
Evidence of Passing Time by Susie Gillespie, handspun, machine-spun linen, dyed, indigo, oak gall. gesso paint weaving, 15.75″ x 15.75″ x 2″, 2021. Photos by Tom Grotta.

Next up, we featured the talented artist Susie Gillespie and her captivating piece, Evidence of Passing Time. Gillespie draws inspiration from the beauty found in the remnants of what was once new: the patterns in damp, crumbling plaster; remnants of paint on decayed wood; rotting bark; and broken carvings. Her intricate techniques, such as broken borders, insets, twining, and weaves of herringbone and twill, bring these elements to life.

When asked about her work, Gillespie said: “Out of decay and disintegration I wish to express a sense of renewal.”

It’s no secret to us why this artist come so acclaimed, and we hope our readers feel the same.

Mariá Eugenia Dávíla Portillo
16pd Amarillo, Eduardo and Mariá Eugenia Dávíla Portillo, silk, alpaca, moriche fiber, cooper leaf, natural dyes, 82.25” x 24.6”, 2019. Photo by Tom Grotta.

The next duo we highlighted did not disappoint! Turning our spotlight to Eduardo and Mariá Eugenia Dávíla Portillo. Renowned for their experimental approach, this artistic pair has made significant strides across all facets of their practice.

Originating from Venezuela, they pioneered silk farming, utilizing local fibers and exploring natural indigo dyeing techniques inspired by their journeys through Orinoco and the Amazon. Extensive research in China and India further enriched their process, where they developed a comprehensive silk production cycle from mulberry tree cultivation to innovative textile design.

They make a spectacular duo, and we can’t wait to see more from them in the future!

Eva Vargo
8ev Paper Quilt 1, Eva Vargo, Japanese & Korean old book papers, handspun strings of old book papers, 23” x 23” x 2.25”, 2022. Photo by Tom Grotta.

We then turned our spotlight to artist Eva Vargö. With extensive travel experience, including time spent in Sweden, Japan, and Korea, Vargö has skillfully infused global influences into her practice.

Her current works are a fascinating blend of traditional weaving techniques and her own innovative paper-weaving methods. By integrating elements from Eastern philosophy, Vargö creates pieces that resonate with a deep sense of harmony and balance. Her unique approach not only reflects her diverse experiences but also continues to captivate audiences worldwide. It’s no wonder she’s earned such acclaim!

Adela Akers
53aa Five Windows, Adela Akers, linen and metal foil, 29” x 60”, 2005. Photo by Tom Grotta.

To close out the month, we are honored to highlight the work of the late, acclaimed artist Adela Akers. Her piece, Five Windows, created in 2005, showcases her masterful use of linen and metal foiling.

Born in Spain and later residing in the United States, Akers was a pivotal figure in the textile and fiber art world. Her career, which began in the 1950s, spanned the entire evolution of modern fiber art, leaving an indelible mark on the field.

We’re also thrilled to share that Akers’ work will be featured in Impact: 20 Women Artists to Collect, part of our upcoming Fall 2024 exhibition, Ways of Seeing. The exhibition will take place from September 21 to September 29, and we can’t wait for you to experience her remarkable artistry once again.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through July’s exciting features. We’re incredibly grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm for the artists and their remarkable work. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as we approach the unveiling of our upcoming Fall 2024 exhibition, Ways of Seeing. Don’t miss your chance to experience these stunning artworks in person—reserve your spot today! We look forward to seeing you there and sharing more artistic inspirations in the months ahead.