Ombra y Oscuridad, 2002

Juan Usle is a contemporary artist recognized for his theme of contrast throughout his abstract paintings. Born in Northern Spain, but living in New York City throughout the majority of his career, Usle had always felt a sense of displacement – a theme that is heavily apparent in his work; he once stated: “I’ve always felt something strange, displaced, in the various places I’ve lived...we are not of a specific place, rather we belong to all of them.” His juxtaposed use of randomness and structure and organic and geometric forms highlight the fluidity and ability to change and adapt that marks both his personal life and his career. His paintings are constructed with translucent layers of saturated, rich colour and his technique is such that the physicality of the paint can appear to disintegrate into an ethereal surface under the illusion of light – Hope is just one of his works of this kind.