"They are like metaphysical walls
arising, from dust, ashes, earth, destruction, cataclysm, cosmic contemplation
and inner meditation."
- Art of our century by J.L. Ferrier, 1988 Longman, Essex UK
‘Matèria en forma de peu’ – size: 132 cm x 162 cm, collection: Fundacioantonitàpies,
Barcelona
Tàpies is sometimes associated with an artistic movement
known as ‘Informalism’ which was opposed to all intellectual categories (form)
and the dualism of western culture (heaven/hell, body/soul). Informe’s views on unnecessary waste
inspired Tàpies to paint a calloused foot and other objects normally rejected
by capitalist society. He called these works ‘Martéria en forma d’aixela’ (Matter in the shape of an armpit),
because all organic life is constantly reshaping itself. His own materials did
so as well, evolving naturally into the eponymous ‘wall paintings’ (tapia = wall/Tàpies), with associations
of separations, enclosure, and the clandestine graffiti of a persecuted people.
- Helen Oppenheimer (Encyclopedia of Contemporary Spanish
Culture, E. Rodgers)
