The earthly subjects of Gilbert Cantu’s work have a strong orbital pull, centering the swirl of varied mediums and inspirations with unifying force. The world that takes form, forged through acrylic and board, arranges digitally enhanced images, pages from hundred-year-old books and other found objects around an organic inspiration – perhaps a heart or an animal… something alive. Cantu’s mixed media approach allows his work to take on a sense of liveliness and play as his subjects color their own meaning onto a background of rich textures and spontaneous strokes of ink, pencil and pastels. His work serves as an expression of complex emotional states becoming more intense, spirited and unsuspecting as the artist moves each piece closer to realization. His adventurous process, along with his penchant for the bold use of color and texture associated with his Mexican heritage, make Cantu’s work imaginative and provocative as his central subject speaks eloquently on behalf of troves of emotions, memories and musings.
Gilbert Cantu currently lives and works in Corpus Christi, Texas.