Lita… and their eyes A veil (hijab) which do not hide the passion of the eyes, and a life that still runs in the veins. This is what the Spanish artist Lita Cabellut portrayed in her art exhibition in Dubai. Cabellut did not arrive to Dubai to complete what the orientalists have initiated long time ago: searching for the veil and attaching to it all illusions and desire. On the contrary, the eyes of the women depicted by the artist glow with different worlds. A veil which do not hide the passion of the eyes and a life that still runs in the veins.
Evan Miznar, Dubai Lita Cabellut did not come to Dubai to complete what the orientalists have initiated long time ago: searching for the veil and attaching to it all illusions and desire. While the orientalists in their art, literature depicted the oriental woman and the veil which hides her from the world, imprison her in the harem, and prevent her from breathing freely. Lita Cabellut, who has experienced injustice and oppression when she was growing up as an orphan in the streets of Barcelona, did not wish to follow this theme. On the contrary, she portrayed from behind the veil strong and courageous women, yet at the same time feminine and free. Cabellut in her exhibition which is entitled “Memories Wrapped in a Golden Paper” and hosted at the Opera Gallery in Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), relied on a technique known as “real skin”. A technique Cabellut herself developed from colours she used and their intensity. A technique relevant to craving on raw materials, thus, creating veins and tissues on the painting, and giving life to the faces drawn, in fact you almost feel you can touch them if you are close enough. “We may think of Cabellut as a chaser of inner soul. She is able to unfold the inner details, she paints with her body and soul like a flamenco dancer. Her strokes on the canvas are strong, reflecting intense expressions; engulfing both spontaneity and skill” said the poet and critic Ali Al Amery, who was very enthusiastic about the work of Cabellut and interested in her experience. Al Amery added “Lita paints like a flamenco dancer. She paints with her body and emotions on a large canvas. She had described her experience in one of her poems “a flash of lightening between my fingers” in an indication of her potential of creativity. A creativity that fills the whiteness of the canvas with wild aesthetic realms. What is more, Cabellut has created in her studio an island functioning as a platform for her to delve in the canvas. If you step three steps backwards you will fall from the platform, but two steps to the front would take you to the world of Cabellut’s paintings. She paints with her body and soul.. performing a passionate dance in the realm of her paintings. On the other hand, Cabellut considers pain “the source of a set of emotions including agony, isolation, helplessness, confusion and love”. All of these emotions realized from the pain experienced. Cabellut explains “pain is more of an insight and wisdom. If we do not experience pain and it does not raise our interest, then there is no difference between man and a rodent. Our emotional system should give us pain, if we are to call ourselves human beings”. Does this pain glow in the eyes Cabellut is depicting? Not really, Cabellut transfers this pain into a great confidence, which appears on the lids of the eyes she depicts whether through the humble look of a strong person, or simply through the starring eyes. Collection of Comments from the critiques and interviews published by Ali Al Amery. Who is she: a Spanish artist living in the Netherlands. Held around 33 art exhibitions, and participated with other artists in 80 art exhibitions. Had her name enlisted with the masters of art. Experienced orphanhood and displacement during her childhood in Barcelona. Major characteristics of Cabellut is being passionate, has intense feelings, and perhaps a madness. She paints, sculpts and makes films. Thinks that the visionary artist is capable of creating a variety of rhythms from any material or tools at his/her disposal.