Ciuco Gutiérrez delves into the complex relationship between female nudes and still lifes, seeking to carve out a space that allows for introspection and understanding. Through his series, “Scenarios for Confrontation,” Gutiérrez initiates a captivating dialogue that explores the realms of objects and the profound feminine archetype. Gutiérrez’s artistic journey has always been intertwined with objects, which serve as the exclusive protagonists within many of his compositions. Fascinated by the mundane and seemingly insignificant, he chooses objects such as souvenirs, trinkets, toys, and other artifacts that stem from mass culture. Despite their ephemeral nature, these objects possess profound significance, and Gutiérrez’s artistic interventions, whether ironic, satirical, critical, or purely aesthetic, shed light on their marginalized stories. Through his lens, these objects become conduits for human realities, exemplifying the reification of society within the context of our consumer-driven civilization.

The artist has rarely focused on individuals in his previous works. However, in this particular series, originally presented at Tabacalera in Madrid in 2015, Gutiérrez revisits deep-seated atavistic and social archetypes. His intention is to juxtapose the female body with the concept of the eternal feminine as an ever-evolving ephemeral entity.

The objectification of women and the fetishistic processes they endure extend beyond the physical realm and delve into the realm of emotions. Yet, Gutiérrez’s exploration does not stop at merely condemning women as mere “sexual objects” and the implications it holds for their status as subjects. Instead, he strives to capture the essence of liberated women, delving into their profound subjectivity. Through his photographic compositions, Gutiérrez’s subjects draw strength from the expressive power of bodily actions, engaging in a visual “dance” where each gesture carries profound meaning. In doing so, Gutiérrez crafts a new corporeal alphabet, ultimately leading us back to a realization of women as autonomous subjects capable of shaping and producing their own realities.