The abstract paintings of Tatiana Montoya embrace the academic tradition of Abstract Expressionism, and its' canons of brilliant and contrasting color, the inspiration of nature and mystical landscape, and the language of metaphor and symbol. Montoya relies upon the physical primacy of the medium—metal papers and chemicals—to infuse meaning.
Montoya's sensational images radiate a color palette of luminous gold, silver, copper, aluminum and bronze that are shrouded in cloudy, dark and somber tones. The abstract images are, at the same time, both radiant and dull. The technique is an ordered process of applying layers of metallic metal papers—called gold leaf, aluminum leaf, brass leaf, bronze leaf, copper leaf, etc—to wood or canvas that are transformed by the chemical reaction of various types of chemical acids, dripped, brushed or poured on the surface. The rectangular shape of the metal papers creates a series of patterns and repetitions, divisions and delineations as the underlying construction of the paintings compositional design. When manipulated by the chemical liquids, the surface becomes organic in texture and form, being diffused, corroded or destroyed. Thus, the painting emits a dual quality of beauty and ugliness. It carries an atmosphere that can be both a landscape of divinity or an image of environmental contamination, smog, waste or maltreatment. The result of the technical process is seductive and calls attention to the powerful acts of creation and destruction known to nature and her physical properties
As the 21st Century embarks upon new frontiers in science and technology most specifically the genetic manipulation of plant, animal and life forms in biotechnology, new images in art will appear to raise attention to these new and challenging issues. Through the process of technique and surface texture, the art of Tatiana proposes concerns about the challenging scientific issues of our current age.
