Ruiz-Healy Art company logo
Ruiz-Healy Art
Skip to main content
  • Menu
  • Home
  • Artists
  • Exhibitions
  • Publications
  • News
  • Online Viewing Room
  • Art Fairs
  • Contact
  • Store
Cart
0 items $
Checkout

Item added to cart

View cart & checkout
Continue shopping
Menu

The Pastoral and the Celestial

Past exhibition
March 20 - May 18, 2024 San Antonio
  • Overview
  • Works
  • Installation Views
  • Press
Overview
Installation image by Ansen Seale
Installation image by Ansen Seale

Ruiz-Healy Art is pleased to present The Pastoral and the Celestial, opening on Wednesday, March 20th, with an opening reception from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at our San Antonio gallery. The Pastoral and the Celestial will be on view through May 18th, 2024. The exhibit brings together Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz, Cecilia Biagini, Graciela Iturbide, Nicolas Leiva, and Cecilia Paredes in a celebration of painting, photography, and ceramics, inviting the viewer into a realm where the boundaries between the tangible and the imagined blur.

 

In The Planets from her Celestial series, Cecilia Paredes looks to cultural production across time and space, using images and astronomical frameworks from Ancient Egyptian, Indian, Iranian, and Incan archival material. Paredes engages in a mythological synthesis from these historical documents, combining images of celestial bodies and zoomorphic constellations into a cohesive whole. Analogously, Ricky Armendariz’s Blue Meditations series turns to the moon to explore physicality, “The Moon is a familiar character in my work, but this time I distill it down to quick gestural expressions in an attempt to concentrate on drawing and painting as a meditation, a form of healing for the body, mind, and spirit," the artist states. 

 

Nicolas Leiva works with a vocabulary of pure fantasy and cosmic inspiration. Bright colors and primal designs are the signature of this artist's expressionistic technique.  This is especially true in his Constellation series, which encapsulates the artist’s craft. Embedded in Leiva's collection of forms and surface designs is a symbolic language that contains the narrative of an ethereal realm, but underlying his tales of paradise is a very real physical practice that is social, as well. “He reflects in the mysteries and immensity of the cosmos,” says Patricia Ruiz-Healy about Leiva.

 

The color blue is employed in various works, with each artist creating their definition. The magnetizing blue tonality used by Biagini in Agua Viva invites the viewer to submerge themselves in a deeper analysis of the painting. Biagini draws inspiration from the movement of the body’s rhythmic contractions while underwater. She juxtaposes chaos and order using a bold sense of color and line.  Meanwhile, Armendariz sees blue as a complete color with elements of introspection and a soothing coolness representative of life’s lessons.

 

In conjunction with the introspection of the human experience, many artists see wildlife, such as animals and landscapes, as a way to interject into the conversation of environmental stewardship. In her work Armadillo, Paredes transforms her body into the form of this fabulous animal. The artist is fond of marginal beings and animals often misunderstood and seen as loners. Graciela Iturbide artfully creates juxtapositions of traditional environments with peculiar details. Her photograph Mujer ángel Desierto de Sonora, México, is a seemingly contradictory image. A woman in a traditional Seri dress heads down to the empty desert plain holding her boom box—a reminder of the technological and material influence of the United States on Indigenous culture. The title transforms the figure into a celestial being: we cannot see her face, and she appears to be flying into another realm, arms spread and hair blowing in the wind.

 

The Pastoral and the Celestial invites us into a realm where the boundaries between the tangible and the imagined blur. These artists invite us to reflect on our relationship with the environment, culture, and mysticism, revealing our world's myriad forms of beauty.

Share
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Tumblr
  • Email
Download Press Release
Works
  • Graciela Iturbide Untitled, Isla del Padre, Gulf of Mexico, South Texas series, 2004 Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag watercolor paper. 33 x 33 in 83.8 x 83.8 cm AP
    Graciela Iturbide
    Untitled, Isla del Padre, Gulf of Mexico, South Texas series, 2004
    Pigment print on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag watercolor paper.
    33 x 33 in
    83.8 x 83.8 cm
    AP
  • Graciela Iturbide Mujer ángel Desierto de Sonora, México, 1979, 2017 Silver Gelatin Print 16 x 20 in 40.6 x 50.8 cm
    Graciela Iturbide
    Mujer ángel Desierto de Sonora, México, 1979, 2017
    Silver Gelatin Print
    16 x 20 in
    40.6 x 50.8 cm
  • Graciela Iturbide Caballito para Gerszo Lafayette, Louisiana, 1997 Silver Gelatin Print 14 x 11" 35.6 x 27.9 cm
    Graciela Iturbide
    Caballito para Gerszo Lafayette, Louisiana, 1997
    Silver Gelatin Print
    14 x 11"
    35.6 x 27.9 cm
  • Cecilia Biagini QFWFQ, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 49 x 41 in 124.5 x 104.1 cm
    Cecilia Biagini
    QFWFQ, 2018
    Acrylic on canvas
    49 x 41 in
    124.5 x 104.1 cm
  • Cecilia Biagini Lunar State, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 55 x 15 in 139.7 x 38.1 cm
    Cecilia Biagini
    Lunar State, 2018
    Acrylic on canvas
    55 x 15 in
    139.7 x 38.1 cm
  • Cecilia Biagini Small Rock, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 12 x 11 in 30.5 x 27.9 cm
    Cecilia Biagini
    Small Rock, 2018
    Acrylic on canvas
    12 x 11 in
    30.5 x 27.9 cm
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz Consegui al rooster, consegui el crow, consegui el ebb pero no el flow..., 2006 Oil on carved plywood 48 x 72" 121.9 x 182.8 cm
    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz
    Consegui al rooster, consegui el crow, consegui el ebb pero no el flow..., 2006
    Oil on carved plywood
    48 x 72"
    121.9 x 182.8 cm
  • Cecilia Paredes, Animal de mi tiempo: Armadillo, 2002
    Cecilia Paredes, Animal de mi tiempo: Armadillo, 2002
  • Cecilia Paredes Walking in my Galaxy Blue, 2023 Photo performance inkjet print 39 x 45 in 99.1 x 114.3 cm Edition of 7 plus 3 artist's proofs
    Cecilia Paredes
    Walking in my Galaxy Blue, 2023
    Photo performance inkjet print
    39 x 45 in
    99.1 x 114.3 cm
    Edition of 7 plus 3 artist's proofs
  • Cecilia Paredes The Planets, 2022 Acrylic and watercolor on printed linen 67 x 54 in 170.2 x 137.2 cm
    Cecilia Paredes
    The Planets, 2022
    Acrylic and watercolor on printed linen
    67 x 54 in
    170.2 x 137.2 cm
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz I used to think, I had It muy malo, Until I heard the whippoorwill cry , 2006 Oil on Carved Plywood 48 x 72 in 121.9 x 182.9 cm
    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz
    I used to think, I had It muy malo, Until I heard the whippoorwill cry , 2006
    Oil on Carved Plywood
    48 x 72 in
    121.9 x 182.9 cm
  • Cecilia Biagini Agua Viva, 2018 Acrylic on canvas 43 x 25" 109.2 x 63.5 cm
    Cecilia Biagini
    Agua Viva, 2018
    Acrylic on canvas
    43 x 25"
    109.2 x 63.5 cm
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz Blue Meditations #1, 2018 Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite 9 x 9 in 22.9 x 22.9 cm
    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz
    Blue Meditations #1, 2018
    Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite
    9 x 9 in
    22.9 x 22.9 cm
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz Blue Meditations #3, 2018 Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite 9 x 9 in 22.9 x 22.9 cm
    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz
    Blue Meditations #3, 2018
    Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite
    9 x 9 in
    22.9 x 22.9 cm
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz Blue Meditations #2, 2018 Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite 9 x 9 in 22.9 x 22.9 cm
    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz
    Blue Meditations #2, 2018
    Mixed media on watercolor paper mounted on masonite
    9 x 9 in
    22.9 x 22.9 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Florero Tropical, 2023 Majolica ceramic with platinum gold 27 x 15 in 68.6 x 38.1 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Florero Tropical, 2023
    Majolica ceramic with platinum gold
    27 x 15 in
    68.6 x 38.1 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Barcas 3, 2019-2020 Glazed Ceramic 9 x 17 x 7.5 in 22.9 x 43.2 x 19.1 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Barcas 3, 2019-2020
    Glazed Ceramic
    9 x 17 x 7.5 in
    22.9 x 43.2 x 19.1 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 3 , 2017-2021 Glazed Ceramic 9 in diameter, 22.9 cm diameter
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 3 , 2017-2021
    Glazed Ceramic
    9 in diameter, 22.9 cm diameter
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 19, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 5.5 in diameter 14 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 19, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    5.5 in diameter
    14 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 21, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 5.5 in diameter 14 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 21, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    5.5 in diameter
    14 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 23, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 9 in diameter 22.9 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 23, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    9 in diameter
    22.9 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 24, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 5.5 in diameter 14 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 24, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    5.5 in diameter
    14 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 27, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 9 in 22.9 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 27, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    9 in
    22.9 cm
  • Nicolás Leiva Constellation 26, 2017-2021 Glazed ceramic 9 in diameter 22.9 cm
    Nicolás Leiva
    Constellation 26, 2017-2021
    Glazed ceramic
    9 in diameter
    22.9 cm
Installation Views
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale
  • Installation images by Ansen Seale
    Installation images by Ansen Seale 
Press
  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz Consegui al rooster, consegui el crow, consegui el ebb pero no el flow..., 2006 Signed and dated on the reverse Oil on carved plywood 48 x 72" 121.9 x 182.8 cm

    Glasstire Top Five: The Pastoral and the Celestial May 2, 2024

    Glasstire, May 2, 2024
  • Graciela Iturbide, “Mujer Angel [Angel Woman]” Courtesy of Ruiz-Healy Gallery. Photo by Ricardo Romo.

    Graciela Iturbide’s Photographs Capture Mexico and Latinos in the U.S.

    Dr. Ricardo Romo , Latinos in America : Substack , April 2, 2024
  • Cecilia Biagini, Small Rock, 2018, Signed, titled and dated on the reverse, Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 11 in., 30.5 x 27.9 cm. Courtesy of the artist and Ruiz-Healy Art

    The Pastoral and the Celestial

    20 Mar — 18 May 2024, Ruiz-Healy Art San Antonio
    Meer, March 25, 2024
  • Cecilia Paredes, The Planets, 2022, Signed and dated lower left, Acrylic and watercolor on printed linen, 67 x 54 in, 170.2 x 137.2 cm

    Featured Show: The Pastoral and the Celestial

    Arts & Culture Texas Magazine , March 1, 2024

Related artists

  • Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz

    Richard 'Ricky' Armendariz

  • Cecilia Biagini

    Cecilia Biagini

  • Graciela Iturbide

    Graciela Iturbide

  • Nicolás Leiva

    Nicolás Leiva

  • Cecilia Paredes

    Cecilia Paredes

Back to exhibitions

Ruiz-Healy Art, San Antonio

Open Wednesday - Saturday from 11AM to 4PM and by appointment | 210.804.2219

201-A East Olmos Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78212 

 

Ruiz-Healy Art, New York

Open Wednesday - Friday from 11AM to 5PM and by appointment | 646.833.7709

74 East 79th Street, 2D, New York, New York 10075

  

 

Instagram, opens in a new tab.
Facebook, opens in a new tab.
Artsy, opens in a new tab.
Youtube, opens in a new tab.
Join the mailing list
View on Google Maps
Privacy Policy
Accessibility Policy
Manage cookies
Copyright © 2025 Ruiz-Healy Art
Site by Artlogic

This website uses cookies
This site uses cookies to help make it more useful to you. Please contact us to find out more about our Cookie Policy.

Manage cookies
Accept

Cookie preferences

Check the boxes for the cookie categories you allow our site to use

Cookie options
Required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Improve your experience on the website by storing choices you make about how it should function.
Allow us to collect anonymous usage data in order to improve the experience on our website.
Allow us to identify our visitors so that we can offer personalised, targeted marketing.
Save preferences