Andrew Barsch - Journalist

Canadian artist Charles Malinsky is back at Galeria Xanon for his solo exhibition entitled “Cruzando el Corredor”. On C/ Almendro, the area known for tapas, cañas, and post-rastro chillouts, Xanon is a pioneer in what looks to be a new little gallery district popping up in La Latina. As of late, some of the most innovative contemporary art in the capital is coming out of these ancient streets, and Malinsky’s exhibition certainly fits the bill with his ominous look at the dark side, bringing light to subjects thought about but rarely discussed.

In what looks to be Norman Rockwell finding his sexually sinister side, Malinsky depicts real life figurative images with just a touch of cartoonish flare (hence the Rockwell comparison). But the similarities stop there. Devilish bondage women equipped with angel wings strut their stuff and strike their poses in black and white paintings fit for a torture chamber, yet provocative enough to keep you gazing for detail. There’s nothing shocking violent or horrific about the images themselves, simply black leather, chiseled facial and body features, motorcycle hats and S & M garb, but they ooze with baleful ideas about a journey into heaven or hell, questioning the idea of which one might be more pleasurable.