#11000 Rafael Zabaleta

The work presents a fragmented still life composition arranged within a grid-like structure. The artist has divided the canvas into numerous rectangular sections, each containing simplified depictions of everyday objects – vessels, cutlery, fruit, and what appear to be serving dishes. A stark contrast between black lines and white space dominates the visual field, creating a graphic quality that minimizes tonal variation.
The arrangement defies traditional perspective; objects are flattened and presented from multiple viewpoints simultaneously within their individual compartments. This fracturing of spatial coherence suggests an exploration of perception and representation rather than a faithful rendering of reality. The repetition of forms – particularly vessels – across different sections generates a sense of pattern and rhythm, while also contributing to the overall feeling of deconstruction.
The decorative border framing the composition introduces an element of ornamentation that contrasts with the austerity of the interior grid. This border features stylized floral motifs rendered in a similar linear style as the objects within, blurring the distinction between background and foreground.
Subtly, theres a sense of confinement or compartmentalization implied by the rigid structure. The objects are isolated within their designated spaces, hinting at themes of isolation, observation, or perhaps even the limitations imposed on individual experience. The absence of any human presence further reinforces this feeling of detachment. Ultimately, the painting appears to be an investigation into how familiar subjects can be transformed through formal manipulation and a deliberate rejection of conventional pictorial strategies.