“Nativo con arco” stands as one of the most representative works from the period in which Costus, the artistic duo formed by Juan Carrero Galofré (Juan de O.) and Enrique Naya, explored themes of identity, corporeality, and cultural dialogue. The composition portrays a young indigenous figure in motion, holding a bow and arrow, set against a stylized tropical landscape where vernacular architecture and lush vegetation function as symbolic elements rather than literal documentation. The vivid color palette, strong contouring, and dynamic contrasts are particularly characteristic of this phase, marked by a contemporary reinterpretation of primitivist aesthetics and Latin American visual narratives.
From a technical standpoint, the use of acrylic on panel provides the artists with the ability to achieve intense chromatic saturation, clean layering, and defined transitions that highlight the human body as the central axis of the composition. The anatomical rendering—stylized yet precise—emphasizes movement and attentiveness, reinforcing the figure’s monumental presence within the large-scale format. This physical proximity between viewer and subject is a deliberate strategy within Costus’ work, amplifying the emotional and visual impact of the piece.
The representation of the young figure does not aim to function as ethnographic record. Instead, it reflects Costus’ broader artistic approach: an exploration of how “the native” is visually constructed through a blend of theatricality, cultural references, and contemporary reinterpretation. Within the wider body of work by Juan de O. and Enrique Naya, this painting aligns with recurrent themes such as the male body, exoticism, and the reexamination of peripheral iconographies, all reframed through their unique visual language.
The tropical landscape plays a crucial compositional role, framing the protagonist while preserving dominance of the human figure. Palm trees, thatched structures, and an intensely blue sky are rendered with a deliberately saturated palette, reinforcing the controlled artificiality characteristic of Costus’ artistic vision during the 1980s. The result is an immersive and vibrant environment that enhances the narrative tension of the central figure.
For collectors and art professionals, this work represents an essential example of the productive collaboration between the two artists. Its scale, technical execution, and conceptual significance make “Nativo con arco” a key artwork within the Costus oeuvre—an exceptional piece that encapsulates their exploration of identity, representation, and contemporary figurative painting.
No products in the cart.