ONCE UPON A DREAM
Martin Maturan
July 13 - 31, 2024
I Know You, I Walked With You
In a world where nostalgia meets the present, Martin Maturan’s sixth solo exhibition, Once Upon a Dream, weaves a tapestry of life as we know it now with a well-loved classical fairy tale, providing a much-needed escape in these turbulent times. Caught in today’s post-pandemic rebuilding momentum, the artist resurrects his long-hibernating project with a fresh, intriguing outlook and a familiar yet curious narrative.
The exhibition showcases a series of works where Maturan breathes new life into scenes from Walt Disney’s 1959 animated feature Sleeping Beauty and elsewhere. But instead of live-action in its most recent Hollywood reiteration, his unique approach blends his signature highly realistic sepia tones with isolated splashes of color and selected text, creating a contemporary visual journey that oscillates between the warmth of remembering and the realities of the present. Through his precise brushstrokes and realistic renderings, combined with equal parts yearning and hope, the artist captures viewers in awe, much like a personal journey that appeals intimately to both memory and anticipation.
Maturan’s meticulous technique brings forth an array of characters seamlessly integrated into everyday objects, transforming the mundane into the magical. The three fairy godmothers find themselves captive in a slow globe, floating with subtle magical sparks. The remains of a familiar villain remind us that even evil has its end. Animal friends frolic and play amongst themselves, perch on branches, nibble on goodies while seeking refuge on a feathered hat, or find a comfortable fit in leather boots. Lopsided layers of a birthday cake celebrate a much-awaited birthday celebration announced with foil balloons made of metallic plastic that can be bought from an online store. As each piece tells its story, viewers are invited not only to lose themselves in the fantastical scenarios meticulously crafted by the artist but also to be reminded of the banalities of modern life.
Whimsical yet poignant, the artist’s paintings maintain that dreams once dreamt may still be powerful enough to grapple against the chaos of reality. Maturan’s ability to capture the collective longing for simpler times is particularly resonant in the context of the recent past, where the world grappled with uncertainty and sought solace in the familiar. In these fantasy settings, Maturan’s art offers a well-deserved escape, a moment of wonder, and a glimpse into a world where dreams come alive. The artist provides immersive experiences that invite us to lose ourselves not only in Disney lore but also to rediscover what magic means to us as we navigate through the news of million-peso pig farms and the fog of selective amnesia. Perhaps others prefer being lost in once-upon dreams rather than dwelling on harsh realities, and we should not find fault if that is how they find their happily ever after.
Written by Kaye O’yek