The Nature of Art

“An artist must possess Nature. He must identify himself with her rhythm, by efforts that will prepare the mastery which will later enable him to express himself in his own language.”
—Henri Matisse

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, amid the darkness and isolation and anxiety, there were acts small and large that attempted to break through the moments of despair and uncertainty and bring glimpses of hope and happiness. This was witnessed by the “music” that poured out of apartments and neighborhoods to celebrate the health care workers and critical services providers. It was a time for others, like SU Fine Arts Associate Professor and artist Arturo Araujo, S.J., to make something meaningful—to make art. 

What started during the pandemic with a series of drawings—52 in total—formed the basis for the artist’s latest show that was three years in the making. 

Father Araujo is making his debut in the Vachon Gallery with a solo show inspired by all things nature. The aptly titled exhibition, Shaped by Nature, features a series of works—using varying techniques—from hanging prints to painting on woodblock to ceramics that are meant to illuminate the dynamism of the natural world. 

“I will encourage people who see the show to look at the beauty of all that is around us—the mountains, the water,” he says. “We are blessed in a unique way to by the abundance of natural resources.” 

The art, while anchored by images of nature, touches on themes of culture, water and preservation, explains Fr. Araujo. “There is a strong ecological feel about the works.” 

The show opens September 20 and runs through October 20 in the gallery in the Fine Arts Building. On October 19 there will be an event featuring the artist himself as Fr. Araujo will host a talk and reception beginning at 4 p.m.

The composition of the show features 11 hanging prints—suspended from the ceiling by thin, nearly imperceptible wires—a series of 10 paintings on woodblocks that encircle the gallery walls, an intimate collection of photographic prints and several ceramic pieces. The hanging prints represent the first time the artist has employed this method. They occupy a prominent area of the gallery and the mix of horizontal and vertical pieces, depicting various elements from nature—with water notably featured—create a natural movement as gallery patrons weave through the suspended artworks. 

The paintings on the life-size woodblocks provide the most vibrant color palettes of the show, with turquoises, midnight blues and verdant greens coming together to create realistic snapshots of nature in motion or captured in a moment in time. Each piece is titled after poetry stanzas from the works of Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot, Rumi and more.

“I find in poetry that I can convey what my art is about,” says Fr. Araujo. 

The works themselves show different elements and motifs found in nature, some of which include scenes like a relatively barren stretch of beach in Oceanside, Oregon, with a few denizens captured communing with the water during the lockdown or a seemingly fossilized piece of driftwood with a bouquet of colorful flowers inexplicably blooming out of its body, signaling a sense of renewal and resiliency. Shaped by Nature encourages a connection with nature and to take time to appreciate its beauty and many sources from which to draw inspiration. 

“It’s a spiritual journey for me to find pieces,” such as driftwood or a burgeoning plant, “appearing in nature in the middle of struggles,” explains Fr. Araujo, “and to find healing in the spiritual activity within nature.”