NYMPHAL INSTARS (middle-late 1986)

By the summer of 1986, Collazo had become fascinated with "nymphal instars", an early form of certain insects before they metamorphose and develop wings. His interest was likely sparked by a collection of Lepidoptera specimens given to him by a friend four years before. Paintings of this series contain images of cocoons, within which creatures are transforming or from which they are emerging; and patterns of venation as seen in the wings of flying insects, such as dragonflies or butterflies. This imagery became, in Collazo's paintings, a powerful reference to the creation of life and to spiritual awakening. In comparison to the swamps and forests of the Epic Tapestries, the Nymphal Instars are like jungles filled with exotic creatures and rich coloration.

Metamorphoses, a work on paper, perfectly embodies the essence of the artist's realization, developed on a large scale in Nymphal Instars I, Nymphal Instars II, Bug Out, Complete Metamorphes and the magnificent Wing Venation. At the time he was exhibiting these paintings, he wrote:

"Essentially, my work consists in placing anonymous, mostly biomorphic shapes and volumes at different distances in a dramatic, deep space realized by careful juxtapositions and gradations of color. I use renaissance space, both atmospheric and geometric and strive for a grandeur of arrangement and gesture in my forms. By this I hope to achieve a timeless and limpid environment in which the eye can wander...."16

After these achievements, Collazo struggled for a new approach. Sepia Sojourn, Watteau Back and El Soñador may be precursors; while Instars II clearly shows the dominance of shape over line which, from this time, characterizes the artist's work. It also shows the concept of space as multiple landscape vignettes which characterize the next series, the Early Healing Gardens.


The Paintings of Raphael Collazo: Note

16 Raphael Collazo, proposal summary for Rome Prize Fellowship, New York, November 11, 1986.