Earth Tone Geometric Abstract Projected Sand on Wood Panel by Angel Velasquez

This work, an abstract geometric composition, captures the spirit of the late 1970s. Hand-assembled on a panel, this small tapestry, with its granular texture obtained by sand projection, reflects a period of intense experimentation with form and material, characteristic of modernist practices at the time. Its visual structure presents a rhythmic play of repeated shapes—fork-like figures, triangles, and rectangles—whose arrangement creates a precise and orderly abstraction.

Signed by Angel Velasquez and dedicated to Magdalena with the message “For Vida” inscribed in a heart, the piece is dated 1978. Its color palette, dominated by shades of brown, yellow, and ochre, resonates with the design aesthetic of the 1970s. During this era, modernism was evolving towards more organic approaches, incorporating natural, earthy tones in contrast to the artificial colors of previous decades.

The forked forms evoke echoes of trees, ancient tools, or Aztec and Mayan symbols, conjuring archaic imagery, perhaps even a connection to ancestral iconography. Through this refined symbolism, the piece maintains a balance between minimalism and narrative depth, as if it draws from a system of signs while remaining rooted in a more modern sensibility.

Its handmade assembly blending geometric abstraction with an organic presence implies a unique limited production, reminiscent of the search for identity by artists at the heart of post-industrial modernity. Even today, it resonates with collectors and galleries, not only for its refined aesthetic but also as a cultural artifact from a pivotal period in modern art.

REFERENCE NUMBER: LU825841689882
PERIOD: Late 20th Century
CONDITION: Good
MEASUREMENTS: Height: 29.5" Width: 21.5" Depth: 2"
COUNT: 1
MATERIAL: Sandstone, Wood
CREATOR: Angel Velasquez
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: South America