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TWO MIRACLES AND... AN ARTIST

By October 1988, the Colombian painter, Mario Lozano Andrade entered Elmhurst Hospital in New York due to a cerebral stroke with a prognosis that provided little hope. The right half of his body showed symptons of severe paralysis and doctors maintained reservations as to the possibility of his recuperation. His professional career seemed like it was coming to an end.

Born in Cali, Colombia in 1942, he began his professional life in Valpara”so, Chile in 1970 after having finished studies at the Fine Arts Academy of Vina del Mar sponsored by the University of Chile where he was simultaneously studying Literature and Philosophy. Since then he has participated in more than 30 group exhibitions and he has accomplished more than 30 individual exhibitions in such demanding countries as Germany, Switzerland, United States, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Colombia and others; and before his stroke he represented Colombia in international artistic events in New York city where he lived for more than 7 years. His work caught the attention of international critics such as Peter Bloch who, during the international Group Exhibition of the Jacob Javit Center in 1985, had promised him a review in case he carried out of and individual exhibit the following year, since in this exhibit he formed part of the select group L.I.R.A. (Latin International Regional Artists.

First Miracle

But his individual exhibition was not realized as quickly as the artist had hoped. "When I was in front of the Cat Scan, surrounded by the best neuologists of New York, I felt that my life was ending. In the midst of strong convulsions I found myself in front of the famous tunnel of light which so many people speak about. There I negotiated with the Supreme Creator for my return to life. I didn' t want to remain paralyzed in half of my body and I solemnly pormised him that if I came out of this unfortunate situation fine, I would dedicate the rest of my life to painting and writing, the two greatest gifts he had given me. After two weeks of intensive care he was released from the hospital. He immediately found that simple movements such as walking, shaving, eating, and dressing were extremely difficult. However his determination to overcome this plight caused him to lift the paintbrush once again and begin his journey, initially with lines that left much to be desired according to his expectations.
On the other hand, it seemed the creative process had come to a halt, so the artist dedicated himself to painting landscapes, still lives and flowers waiting for the muses to return. "My hand was already firm enough to hold the brush or to shoot the airbrush; my sight had recuperated it' s precision and subtlety for mixing colors. But it was lacking the most important element: Inspiration."

Another Miracle

"I was feeling empty", recalls the artist, "and without any theme to exploit. I dedicated myself to review my creative line prior to my stroke, trying in vain to recapture in my brain the pictorial language that once had allowed me concrete realizations that summoned critical attention and praise and carried my work to collector in all five continents.

Taking bits and pieces of my previous plastic alphabet from here and there. I was able to construct some new creations and made 3 new works whose language was not yet clear for me.

Then, the second miracle occurred which allowed me to exploit that which later I called 'Symphony of the Spheres'. That miracle was love and as destiny has proven to be strange, it was the city of New York which God chose to place in my path so that I would find Maria Gema, my loving partner, model, agent, advisor, wife and companion.

These two elements: Tenacity in my work and the explosion of love converged to form a new pictorial symbolism which synthesized my long artistic journey. My obsession with light, movement and their concomitance with sound caused me to continue to create chromatic symphonies that transmit messages of peace, leve, faith, hope and a radiant joy of life".

In June 1994, Mario Lozano presented his work, 'The Symphony of Luminous Spheres' in New York City, and exhibit that was unforgettable experience of New Age Kinetic Art for all those in attendance; spheres floating freely within the gallery space, soap bubbles emerging form all sides, special music and lights of all colors brought life to the paintings hanging in the salon, some of which, hanging from nylon string, seemed to be floating in space.

The Artist had returned after a 5 years absence.

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