bs-fsf- Carlos Ochagavia- Untitled Carlos Ochagavia

The composition presents a densely populated dreamscape, layered with mythological and symbolic elements. A central figure dominates the upper portion of the canvas: a face framed by a writhing mass of serpentine locks. The skin tone is unusual, leaning towards a sickly green hue, and the expression conveys an unsettling mixture of defiance and melancholy. This visage appears to hover above a landscape teeming with hybrid creatures and fragmented architectural remnants.
Below the central figure, a body of water stretches into the distance, reflecting a sky painted in warm tones suggestive of either sunrise or sunset. Along the shoreline, a series of fantastical beings are arranged. A sphinx-like creature with feathered wings stands atop a rocky outcrop, seemingly observing the scene unfolding below. Adjacent to it, a bull with human legs gestures towards a figure that appears to be part man and part fish, emerging from the waters edge.
Further along the left side of the painting, a bearded male form is partially obscured by foliage, his posture suggesting both vulnerability and observation. A vibrant red dragon coils near him, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative. At the base of the composition, several canine figures are depicted, one of which appears to be entwined with a serpent. In the upper corners, avian creatures – one resembling an eagle and the other a raven – are positioned as if surveying the scene from above.
The architectural elements scattered throughout contribute to the sense of disorientation and decay. A ruined structure, reminiscent of a medieval fortress or cathedral, is visible in the background, its presence hinting at lost grandeur and forgotten histories. The overall effect is one of unsettling beauty, where familiar forms are distorted and recombined into something entirely new.
The subtexts within this work seem to explore themes of transformation, duality, and the confrontation with the monstrous. The hybrid creatures suggest a blurring of boundaries between human, animal, and divine realms. The central figure’s expression hints at a burden or curse, while the ruined architecture speaks to the impermanence of power and civilization. The painting evokes a sense of psychological unease, inviting contemplation on the darker aspects of the human condition and the enduring power of myth.