Altar of Art

Sandra Gamarra is the rare artist who might just commune directly with your soul. The Madrid-based Peruvian artist draws her inspiration from the parallels between artistic and mystical experiences. In her ongoing series of paintings titled The New Worshiper and The Apostles, Gamarra proposes that art museums are places of...

By Carlos Suarez De Jesus

June 23, 2011

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "19274298",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "17482312",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482310",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "18711090",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "17482313",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        }
      ]

Sandra Gamarra is the rare artist who might just commune directly with your soul. The Madrid-based Peruvian artist draws her inspiration from the parallels between artistic and mystical experiences. In her ongoing series of paintings titled The New Worshiper and The Apostles, Gamarra proposes that art museums are places of worship-filled contemplation comparable to cathedrals or pilgrimage sites. For her, observing works of art is an act of faith external to any political or philosophical ideal. At the Bass Museum of Art, “Sandra Gamarra: At the Same Time (Al Mismo Tiempo)” features an ethereal suite of the artist’s canvases based on photos Gamarra snapped of visitors looking at works of art. In these paintings, she conjures an eerie sense of déjà vu, as if observing the observers or mirroring anonymous doppelgangers. Gamarra’s unique vision alludes to the relationship among the maker, the work, the viewer, and the point where they meet in the museum. And it might leave you feeling as if you’ve been sifted through a weird, spiritual echo chamber. The exhibit opens Saturday and runs through October 16.
Wednesdays-Sundays. Starts: July 2. Continues through Oct. 16, 2011

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.