ARTWORK
ARTWORK
Theory of Art: Whimsically Bizarre Surrealism
BIRD OF PREY -
Defining what an artist believes about their work can feel redundant—but it's far better than letting someone else do it for you. So, here goes...
My Memories and Dreams collections were early attempts to rekindle my artistic flame. With the Oddball collection, I’ve chosen to “free fall” creatively—taking a whimsical plunge into the form and style of surrealism simply to entertain myself.
Hours spent reflecting on these new pieces revealed one core truth: it's all about discovery. Not in a pretentious or overly mastered way, but in a manner that is clever, unexpected, and illuminating. These works carry more insight, joy, and artistic honesty than anything I’ve done before.
Let me clarify: this evolution doesn't make my past work less important or enduring—it’s just different. Like the Pop, Magic, or Psychedelic Surrealists, my art is meant to evolve. Today, I find myself aligned with something I call Whimsically Bizarre Surrealism—rooted in historical influences but touched with modern irreverence. (Think Hieronymus Bosch or Giuseppe Arcimboldo.)
Viewers often comment with “That’s cool,” “Wow,” or sometimes just pause with speechless intrigue. My work draws heavily from today’s visual culture—graphic design, social media, advertising—where images are consumed quickly, shared easily, and sometimes, remembered. Maybe it lingers. Maybe it doesn’t. But for those who connect, it’s meaningful.
My art is built on a “look and you shall find” approach—what I call Scotoma appeal. Inspired by Arcimboldo’s pareidolic genius, I aim to spark the brain into recognizing forms where none seem to exist: faces in clouds, stories in chaos. Every brushstroke contains another image waiting to be discovered—faces within faces, symbols within symbols, souls you didn’t know you were looking for. Like a crystal ball, my paintings invite exploration.
They may not hang in your home—but you’ll remember them. They may leave you better, or perhaps a bit uneasy. Either way, you’ve been exposed.
It’s not just whimsy. Beneath the playfulness is a confrontation with reality. I take what’s familiar and distort it—burying icons and symbols beneath surface impressions. The result is a moment of light-
Don't get too hung up on my brushstrokes or color theory. They're intentionally loose, unlabored, and unconcerned with conventional values of weight, precision, or academic discipline.
Creating Whimsically Bizarre Surrealism is no easy task. A painting like Broken Chalice teems with symbolism and nearly seduced me into competing with the surrealist giants. I failed at outdoing them—but found that my style remained intact, even as my ambitions shifted.
So take a road trip with me—psychic or not—and run your eyes through a labyrinth of contradiction, juxtaposition, and distortion. Embrace the odd. Unearth the hidden. Discover fun.
Because while art doesn’t have to be serious, for me, it must be entertaining.
“We’re all just pilgrims on the road to a better place.” —Jacabo
Exclusive Video of the making of
“Last Voyage.”
The last oil painting in the
Collection Sea Monsters
Religious Cannibalism
Detail
Dreams Project
At the core of Jacabo’s artistic theory
is a commitment to layered perception, the transformation of iconography into personal mythology, and the deliberate use of whimsy to subvert aesthetic convention.
By Jacabo Navarro
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