REVERB Gallery, Tampa, FL

"to kiss a flower good morning" is a collection of paintings by painter Sebastian Ore Blas , exploring themes of intimacy, pleasure, and tenderness. Featuring an approach of compositional fragmentation, the exhibition presents a series of paintings that depict poetic gestures through images of tender scenes, exploring themes such as intimacy, conviviality and gregariousness.

The paintings are created through a process of fragmentation, where different elements from various sources such as figures, flowers, doors, windows and cats, are stitched together on a single canvas. This technique creates a new object with a unique atmosphere, and the merged fragments through a dynamic play of light and shadow mirrors the merging of the physical and the spiritual layers we all hold within ourselves.

Nature is portrayed in a manner that evokes metaphysical themes of interconnectedness, and impermanence. Flowers, depicted in diverse forms such as vases, arrangements, single petals, and strands, symbolize ephemerality, sex and beauty, serving as visual metaphors for the delicate and intimate experiences of human life.

The philosophical implications of doors and windows delve into perception, cognition, and the nature of reality. These elements act as symbolic gateways to deeper philosophical concepts, suggesting that our perception of the world is influenced by the "windows" through which we view it. On top of this, the concept of doors and windows relates to broader ideas such as symmetry and design, underscoring the subjective nature of our cognitive processes.

Drawing influence from Latin American magical realism, Ore Blas imbues his work with a sense of wonder and transcendence, merging the ordinary with the extraordinary. This movement, renowned for its blending of reality with fantastical elements, informs the way the paintings present themselves, inviting viewers to experience the surreal in everyday moments.