Gabriel Rojas discusses Tulsa’s thriving art world

A new exhibition opened at Tulsa’s Living Arts on February 7 featuring the works of numerous local artists, including Argentina born painter Gabriel Rojas.

Remember Artist Showcase “is intended to highlight the unique talents found within the Tulsa Arts community,” Living Arts’ website states, and Rojas is certainly among those whose talents are making the city a beacon in the art world.

Those who have followed Rojas’ career over the past several years know that the artist’s work is constantly evolving, making use of different media while reflecting his changing life experiences. La Semana asked Rojas if he could characterize his contributions to the Remember Artist Showcase.

“I’m a process painter,” he explained. “I experiment with techniques and gestures, and so this serious is mixing gestural abstract expressionist techniques with geometric designs. It’s kind of looking for a balance between those different visual elements.”

Rojas said he doesn’t start on a new piece or series with any preconceived message or idea, but rather lets the art develop organically.

“Like I said, it's a process, so it’s like a puzzle to me,” Rojas said, “and I’m creating these puzzles to solve and through processes I can learn more about the medium and about myself. It’s about discovering the process.”

Rojas said he draws inspiration from a variety of different artists, some of the better known being Wassily Kandindsky and Pablo Picasso. But his interests extend far beyond the established masters.

“Michael Williams is a contemporary painter I really enjoy,” he said.

Rojas said this is a good time for the arts in Tulsa.

“I think it’s a great place for local artists,” Rojas said. “[Tulsans] really support the arts and there’s a growing artistic community.”

Rojas said exhibitions such as Remember Artist Showcase are among the reasons why there is such as renaissance in the Tulsa art world.

“There’s always a market for local artists, and Living Arts is supporting this exhibit,” he said.

2020 promises to be a busy year for Rojas, whose work will be featured in an upcoming exhibit called “We Are All Related” at Liggett Studios beginning February 14, as well as the “Instincts” show at TCC’S Thomas K. Mckeon Center for Creativity beginning April 27.

“I will also be doing a mural in April for the Habit Mural Festival,” Rojas said. “That’s it for now, but we’ll see what happens this year.”

Other local artists whose work can be seen at Remember Artist Showcase are Andrea Martin, Ann Shannon, Ariana Jakub, Brice Duncan, Callan Dullea, Carla Treadway, Claire Zevnik, Cristiana Prado, Dean Wyatt, Destiny Green, Diana Witty, Diane Salamon, Drew Davis, E.G. Neal, Erica Royal, Esther Sartain, Hershel Self, Jared Boyd, Jay Exon, Jim Terrell, Joe Kissinger, Josh Stout, Karen Lamb, Kenny Mccage, Kristin Gentry, Kristin Wright, Lauren Lunsford, Laurie Spencer, Linda Dunbar, Linda Shackelford, Mary Whitney, Meredith Hoosier, Michael Palazzo, Nicole Donis, Pam Watson, Pamela Smith, Pat Meyer, Penni Gage, Rita Rowe, Rosemary Daugherty, Sandi Willhite, Scott Goodpaster, Scott Taylor, Steve Tomlin, Susan Michael, Taylor Painter-wolfe, and Yusef Etudaiye.

Remember Artist Showcase runs through February 22. Living Arts is located near ONEOK Field at 307 East Reconciliation Way. (La Semana)