Ivan de la Rionda (1966)

Ivan de la Rionda  - Sin título - oil painting on linen canva, 2024

CP: Ivan, thank you for being here today. It’s a pleasure to welcome you to the Galerie Catherine Pennec for this exhibition in resonance with the 17th Lyon Biennale. Could you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to your current artistic style?

IR : Hello Catherine, I'm delighted to be here. My journey began at the University of Fine Arts in Havana, where I developed a mastery of mediums such as oil, acrylic, pastel, and ink. Over the years, my work has evolved from figurative to abstract, a journey guided by my desire to capture the essence of everyday life through a poetic lens.

CP: That's fascinating. In this exhibition titled "Tea or Coffee?", how do your works engage in dialogue with those of Cynthia Pedrosa?

IR : Our works complement each other through their exploration of the human condition, but with different approaches. While Cynthia focuses on social and individual dynamics, I try to transcend reality to reveal hidden truths behind appearances. Our artistic dialogue highlights the diversity of human experiences and the richness of possible interpretations of art.

CP : Your work gives a lot of importance to light. Could you tell me a bit more about that?

IR : Indeed, that's what interests and motivates me the most. Bringing out light through colors, shadows, highlights, and especially transparencies, all of this is part of a process. In other words, my creative process is alive; from one day to the next, from one drying phase to another, colors reveal themselves, transparencies either brighten or fade. That’s why I say the process is alive. I might work on a canvas, manage to achieve a color that satisfies me, and then the next day, I discover a depth in the color that I hadn’t imagined.

CP : Do you need to create an atmosphere to work? Do you listen to music while painting, or do you prefer silence and immersing yourself in your creation?

IR : Usually, I work in silence; I need calm to be attentive to the dialogue I establish with the painting. When I take breaks, I enjoy listening to music, really listening—I take the time to just listen and appreciate this art so that I can better return to my activities afterward. Music can help me take some distance from a work in progress to finish it later or lead me down a path I hadn't considered until now.

CP : Your exhibition aligns with the theme of hospitality for the 17th Lyon Biennale of Contemporary Art. How does your work reflect this theme?

IR : For me, hospitality lies in the ability of art to create a space where each viewer feels invited and free to give themselves over to their own interpretations. My works are designed to be a pretext for exchange and contemplation, allowing visitors to connect with the universe I propose and share their own feelings.

CP : A very welcoming and inclusive approach. What is your favorite piece in this exhibition, and why?

IR : It's hard to choose a favorite painting, but I would say the blue diptych "Sin titulo" holds a special place. It's an oil on linen canvas that explores the fluidity of movement and the subtlety of shadows. It perfectly embodies my desire to capture the essence of the moment, which, in my opinion, reflects hospitality by opening the door to multiple interpretations and emotions.

CP: Thank you for sharing, Ivan. We are eager to see how visitors will react to your work. Do you have a message for those who will discover your works for the first time?

IR : I would tell them to come closer, let it sink in, step back, and then approach my paintings again—all with an open mind and a willingness to let themselves be transported. In an abstract work, the viewer's interpretation is even more personal and intimate than in a figurative work, which generally tells a story that is, at first glance, more accessible but not necessarily so. Openness is therefore a necessary stance. Some let themselves be carried away; others walk away. It’s their choice. Each work is an invitation to reflection and discovery, and I hope everyone finds something that resonates with them, a connection that transcends words and cultures.

CP : Thank you, Ivan. Chloé Guillas, Cynthia Pedrosa, and I are delighted to have you with us, and we eagerly await the start of the exhibition.