Alejandro Canela's Graphite Drawings Explore Dark Emotions

(MENAFN- USA Art News) Artist Alejandro Aguilar Canela explores themes of depression, anger, abandonment, and fear in his graphite drawings, seeking to uncover growth from challenging emotions. Based in Austin, Texas, Canela primarily works with drawing, although he occasionally creates sculptures.

His works, often measuring between two and four feet wide, utilize graphite and fine line mechanical pencil on both traditional paper and vellum. Canela incorporates“mistakes” such as smudges and unplanned marks into his compositions, mirroring his philosophy of embracing adverse feelings. The artist explained,“There is another side to our own darkness, one that can reveal new perspectives and accelerate personal transformation. It's more about not discarding what might be considered unwanted, but instead finding some use for it.” These internal emotions are often personified through human-like figures in his art.

Several of Canela's pieces, including“If I Could Protect You” (2024),“A Rodent in the House 01” (2025),“How to Stand Against Solitude” (2024),“If You're Here, Congratulations” (2026),“Undone B” (2023),“Sad Boy” (2025),“Idol,”“Wet Dog” (2025),“Mother,” and“A Rodent in the House 03” (2025), are featured in the Critic's Choice exhibition at Ki Smith Gallery in New York. The exhibition is on view through September 6.

We previously reported:

Turin-based artist Francesco Pirazzi will exhibit his atmospheric paintings at Luce Gallery in Turin starting October 28.

Source: This Is Colossal

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