An Allegory of Humor

Eduardo Portillo
April 20-May 25, 2013
Outdoor Gallery
Opening reception Saturday, April 20, 6:30-8:30 pm
Artist in attendance

Installation view

Experiencing the circus for the first time as a child became an unforgettable and consequential memory in the mind of Eduardo Portillo, as evident in his exhibition entitled "Allegory of Humor." The feelings of mystery and nostalgia present at the circus hypnotized Portillo, and in particular, he became enchanted by the presence of the clown.

As Portillo grew older, a basic understanding of the circus at a young age transformed into dissecting the layers involved in the circus and its characters. The artist states, "I found myself in a similar position as the clown, peeling away my own layers, discovering parts of myself which continue to allow me to create new and evolving installations." The circus bridged his past with the present, as he relived memories and later analyzed them. Aside from a mode of self-discovery, Portillo hopes that the colossal, multi-colored sculptures create a sense of awe and curiosity similar to the feelings evoked in him when viewing the circus for the first time.

Born in El Salvador, Portillo arrived in the United States in 2003 to pursue his studies in Fine Art at the University of Houston. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with a minor in Art History. He continues to live and work in Houston, Texas.