Persuasion displays the fountain of skill mixed media artist Hamilton Aguiar boasts in all his pieces. Aguiar’s work is capable of opening the minds of viewers and convincing the eye to see beyond the 2-D plane on which his striking work lies, challenging the viewer to enter into a new illusory space.

Aguiar, as of recent, takes much inspiration from his coastal home in Florida translating the visceral sensations of his hometown and sharing them with others through his mixed media art. This online exhibition seeks to explore Aguiar’s hypnotic work and showcase his tremendous technical control over his medium.

Works like Optical Mauve, oil on canvas, 70 x 70 x 2.5 inches (177.8 x 177.8 x 6.35 cm) demonstrate meticulous control over the canvas. Aguiar’s spreading of the paint persuades the viewer to tip over each ridge and plunge into each valley of the undulating paint surfaces. The slight color gradation creates a rhythmic flow the viewer can dance to. One can almost imagine reaching out and feeling the illusory depressions in the canvas and coming away surprised by Aguiar’s trick of the brush and paint.

Aguiar’s ability to transform a 2-D plane into a 3-D space makes for engaging work that enthralls the viewer's gaze. His pieces invite us into conversation with our perception of reality and join him in hand with his. Aguiar explores the boundaries of the canvas and offers new ways for our senses to engage with his art.

Curatorial Statement
Phoebe Caswell