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Sarcastic, philosophical and always a bit irreverent, self-taught outsider artist Benjazmin Ocampos’ oil and ink pen on wood paintings are stream-of-consciousness musings about the important things in life: nature, family, soccer and religion.
At first glace, Ocampos’ paintings have a sense of simplicity inherent in the naïve style in which he paints. But on closer examination, the viewer discovers not only more complex themes and subject matter, but hidden words, phrases, quotes and even bible verses that the artist has handwritten throughout. Delicately etched to outline a character or hidden in the branches of a tree or whiskers of a cat, the literary references are joyous surprises to the viewer who ventures close enough to find them within the painting.
Ocampos was literally plucked from obscurity when the Director of the Museo del Barro in Asuncion, Paraguay saw his work and offered him a solo show at the museum. Today he exhibits his work not only in South America, but also in Europe. Ocampos' work is included in public and private collections in the United States, Germany, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Artist statement:
"I am not sure how to describe how I find inspiration to create my work,
but what I’m sure of is that it has something to do with God. My
obsession for the jaguars and some other animals is because I think
that I am one of them, but a little bit more civilize. I mean a little
bit more shrewd and with the tail backwards.
My work is not for bitter people, they are for intelligent people, so my
advice is: Bitter people, stay away!
Very far away, a million light years of being perfect- I try to
illustrate how beautiful that planet would be. If all of us would give
love (and those who are able, a little bit of cash) for the future of
our kids--and don’t forget that with the years we will get retire-- and
if you took good care of them, you will have good care back…if not…you
are done!"
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curriculum vitae pdf
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