{"id":644608,"date":"2026-08-19T01:41:26","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:41:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/644608\/"},"modified":"2026-08-19T01:41:26","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T01:41:26","slug":"dark-emotions-evoke-growth-in-alejandro-aguliar-canelas-graphite-drawings-colossal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/644608\/","title":{"rendered":"Dark Emotions Evoke Growth in Alejandro Aguliar Canela’s Graphite Drawings \u2014 Colossal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Alejandro Aguilar Canela<\/a> finds profound value in what may be seen as some of our bleakest emotions. Delving into subject matters such as depression, anger, abandonment, fear, individuality, sexuality, and more, Canela strives to understand the multitudes within each, and how their shadowy paths have the ability lead us somewhere brighter.<\/p>\n

Though occasionally venturing into sculpture, the Austin, Texas-based artist specializes in drawing. His works range in size, with many of his compositions spanning two to four feet wide on both traditional paper and vellum. Canela largely employs graphite and fine line mechanical pencil, welcoming \u201cmistakes\u201d or inadvertent motifs\u2014such as smudges and unplanned marks\u2014that mirror his personal philosophy of embracing adverse emotions. <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cIf I Could Protect You\u201d (2024), mechanical pencil on paper, 14.3 x 14.4 inches<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is another side to our own darkness, one that can reveal new perspectives and accelerate personal transformation,\u201d the artist says. \u201cIt\u2019s more about not discarding what might be considered unwanted, but instead finding some use for it.\u201d As a result, these innermost feelings often manifest through unique characters, as Canela creates human-like forms to give them shape.<\/p>\n

Several of Canela\u2019s works are included in this year\u2019s Critic\u2019s Choice exhibition at Ki Smith Gallery<\/a> in New York, which is on view through September 6. Find more from the artist on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cA Rodent in the House 01\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cHow to Stand Against Solitude\u201d (2024), 25.4 x 34.4 inches<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cIf You\u2019re Here, Congratulations\u201d (2026), mechanical pencil on paper, 22.4 x 30.3 inches<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cUndone B\u201d (2023), mechanical pencil on paper, 36 x 36 inches<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cSad Boy\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cIdol\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cWet Dog\u201d (2025), mechanical pencil on paper<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cMother\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>From the artist\u2019s \u201cGrey Drawings\u201d series<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\u201cA Rodent in the House 03\u201d (2025), 22.5 x 30.25 inches<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Installation view of \u2018Critic\u2019s Choice\u2019 at Ki Smith Gallery. Image \u00a9 Roman Dean, shard with permission<\/p>\n

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