But in this exhibition Querozito homes
in one of the most crucial interactions between the
sexes: intimate sexual relations. Though themes of eroticism
have been attempted by him previously, they do not focus
on it as a powerfully and emphatically as these drawings
do. The drawings are stark, mostly black and white with
colour being introduced very subtly. The drawings betray
an urgency which can be seen in the way of the lines
have been drawn over and over again - the drawings are
a visual eruptions creating obsessive linear rhythms.
The lines outline and create voluminous bodies - bodies
which are heavy, earthy and full with the promise of
ripe sensuality. The lines construct the anatomy, encircling
thighs breasts and phallus.
The lines resemble the bark of ancient trees or a network
of veins.
The lines also resemble a whirlpool or web.
The lines contrasted against the whiteness of the pictorial
space complements the delicate textured patterns which
introduce colour into the composition. While the lines
are used to construct the picture, colour patterns are
employed to focus only on certain parts of the pictorial
field. In his use of whole pictorial surface edge to
edge, Querozito shifts from his older compositions wherein
a more detached perspective of life and relationships
was portrayed. Querozito now views the act of love and
the coupling of bodies as close as possible, leading
to the truncation of the extremities, the limbs and
sometimes even the heads. Thus Querozito does not represent
one particular couple in the act of love but all couples-
this happens also when the heads are portrayed, they
are masked off by a web of lines and remain completely
anonymous. The use of erotic symbolism is both universal
and personal. The bull, the tortoise and fish take the
place of the phallus and vagina. The close up view of
the anatomy, the darkened lines and the coloured patterns
of dresses, bedspreads all coalesce, leading to an extremely
attached point of view.
So much so that it results in a view point from within.
The depiction of sexual relationship ranges from the
tentative first steps and the usual coupling to the
realm of erotic fantasy and irrationality. Thus the
real and the unreal themes of sexuality are explored
and reinforced by representing powerful bodies throbbing
with linear rhythms and highlighted by the blazing white
of the pictorial surface and the subdued yet passionate
colours of the patterned surfaces - all of it orchestrated
with power and sensitivity. Querozito's drawings reveal
an intensity and passion which may continue to be a
preoccupation for some time to come.
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