The last postcard we’ve sent this year features a marvellous
digital illustration of the Western façade of Santiago’s Cathedral by an artist
we have recently discovered, Rafael Cachaldora.
As Laura explains in her message, Cachaldora’s card is
a vibrant and captivating representation of the majestic view of the cathedral
from Obradoiro Square (Square of the Stonecutters), the final destination of
the Camiño de Santiago and the centre point for the celebration of the Feast of
Saint James on July, 25th.
Olga in Moscow is the lucky recipient of the card!
More cards by Cachaldora are in our possession to be
sent out the next school year. Just as Laura’s card, they are all amazing digital
illustrations of various well-known places in Santiago’s old town.
Rafael Cachaldora was born in Ourense, the third
largest town in Galicia, 98 kilometres south east of Santiago de Compostela.
Ourense is famous for its thermal waters; its best-known water springs, As Burgas
Fountains, have also been illustrated by Cachaldora along with other emblematic
spots like the Cathedral and the Main Square.
Click here if you want to read about illustrations of Ourense by Cachaldora. Cachaldora’s work not only consists of digital
cityscapes; it comprises haunting abstract paintings whose significance is
multiplied by their inspiring titles.
Aerosol stenciling (estarcido con spray) is a commonplace in Cachaldora’s artistic
career. A stencil is sheet of cardboard in which the artist cuts out geometrical
and enigmatic shapes so that spray paint applied to the sheet reproduces the
pattern on the surface beneath, which can cover a wide range of materials:
canvas, metal, hardwood and even a wooden round plate, commonly used for
serving Galician-style octopus!
The result at times evokes the art of our earliest
ancestors yet it is not only prehistoric artists that Cachaldora overtly feels
inspired by. He has created many pieces that pay tribute to painters whose work
greatly enriched art history and, by extension, the history of humankind.
HAPPY SUMMER HOLIDAYS!
