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Alex da Silva

The Big Sea Bird

The Big Sea Bird

$3,200
$3,200
Sale Sold
In "The Big Sea Bird," da Silva reimagines a pivotal moment of first contact between the Kumeyaay people, indigenous to the southern California region, and the European Conquistadors. Inspired by a historical account from nearly 500 years ago, the painting captures the moment when foragers, scanning the horizon, mistook the towering white sails of Spanish vessels for enormous seabirds. As the ships drew closer, the truth became clear: these were the invaders their desert kin had warned them about - men who would forever alter their land, traditions, and way of life.

Da Silva’s layered and dreamlike composition blends time and memory, inviting us to consider the weight of historical erasure. Through a fusion of oil and acrylic, his brushwork evokes the passage of time, dissolving boundaries between past and present. Elements of natural beauty stand in contrast to the specter of colonial conquest, reflecting the artist’s ongoing exploration of how landscapes and histories are shaped, lost, and reimagined. "The Big Sea Bird" is a testament to the fragility of memory in the face of transformation. 

"The Big Sea Bird" is a companion piece to "Alta California," which presents the same story from the perspective of the Conquistadors, offering a dual vision of a moment that changed the course of history and the California landscape.

Details

  • Type: Painting
  • Year: 2024
  • Material & Medium: Acrylic & oil on linen canvas
  • Size: 45 x 34 inches (excluding frame)
  • Ready to Hang: Yes
  • Frame: Included
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About Alex da Silva

Alex da Silva, born in São Paulo, Brazil, in the early 1970s, grew up immersed in the textures and imagery of an artistic world. His father, a renowned painter and art critic, introduced him to painting at an early age, while his mother, a pillar of strength, guided him through the challenges of his father's declining health. Childhood memories of long bus rides, cluttered studios, the scent of turpentine, and coastal landscapes left an indelible mark on his artistic vision. These experiences, infused with symbolism and restless energy, continue to shape his work today.

Now based in Oakland, CA, da Silva explores themes of memory, place, and transformation in his paintings. His work is not driven by nostalgia but by a search for connections - questioning established narratives, the way people occupy spaces, and the impact of both human and natural forces on the landscape. With a deep awareness of history, his compositions serve as both personal and collective inquiries, reflecting on the past to better understand the present.

LOCATION: Oakland, CA

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