What can we do to avert tragedy during alarming uncertainty? What are our values? How do we correct an emphasis on safety, security, and risk reduction, and a societal need to triumph over death? The crisis and collapse were imminent, sometimes coming into view like the tip of an iceberg. And here it is, the pandemic... How do we know what we believe is true? What is lurking in the shadows of our own fear? Does death actually liberate love from fear? As an artist, my purpose is to liberate humanity from fear and take a stand for passion, celebration, life, and love. My observations and imagination lead to profound, complex visions and narratives of the interconnected world that I want to create – a beautiful world, wildly colorful, flamboyant, and authentic, reflecting depth and illuminating the universal dance of life, while celebrating iconic cultural references. I paint a human world embracing our universal responsibility and stewardship of a planet that I want to pass on to our grandchildren. By identifying with the essence of my subjects, I work to reveal their internal connections to nature, animals, music, and the savoring of joyous moments that make up the rich tapestry of life. I am interested in uniting humanity in the common cause of appreciating and protecting our freedom to dream, our precious time on Earth, and our boundless courage that is the creative spirit.
“When I first saw the work of Roland van Loon, I knew I wanted to include him in the exhibition, Flamenco: From Spain to New Mexico. His work represents the movement, passion, joy, sensuality, and expressiveness that Flamenco is most known for. His work also represents this magical place that is specifically New Mexico. He incorporates local lore and historical fact seamlessly. I chose the work “Vicente at El Farol” because of it’s subject matter. Vicente is considered the “Godfather” of flamenco in our state and his nightly shows at Santa Fe’s oldest bar, El Farol, instigated the earliest and longest running tablao style shown in the country. At the bar, after shows, locals and tourists mixed and mingled, guitarists and singers sharing their craft with young aficionados. At El Farol, many were introduced to Flamenco for the first time, including van Loon. After visiting Santa Fe and experiencing live Flamenco at El Farol, he up and moved to Santa Fe and began capturing the excitement and intensity of the dance through the use of his vivid colors and ability to capture motion and feeling in his subjects. Each painting seamlessly blends local figures with characters from New Mexico’s pantheon of saints, such as San Pascual, Saint Francis. These are sometimes set with mythical creatures. His paintings at once transform the viewer to another world, yet they honor actual people and events in our history. Vicente at El Farol is one such example of how van Loon honored the great Vicente Romero and the early days of the Flamenco nightclub performances and dance parties at El Farol. Van Loon transports the viewer through his imagery, including the fun and emotion he experienced in those early golden days of Flamenco in New Mexico.”
Vicente at El Farol, part of the traveling exhibit, Flamenco: From Spain To New Mexico
Nicolasa Chavez is a fourteenth generation New Mexican. She grew up as a young child surrounded by the sights and sounds that are uniquely New Mexican. Flamenco was one of those sounds. Later, she studied Flamenco dance and singing and also studied history. Upon becoming a Curator at the Museum of International Folk Art, Chavez was able to achieve her dream of creating an exhibition on the Art and History of Flamenco.
Roland currently lives and works in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He apprenticed with painter and “National Treasure”, Jean Charlot and graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Hawaii.