Air of Freedom No 2
Artist: Rosana Auqué
Year: 2024
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 36 × 48 inches
Price: USD $5,000
Air of Freedom No. 2 is a contemporary oil painting that explores transformation as a moment of continuity rather than rupture. The work belongs to a body of paintings in which symbolic elements act as traces of events that are no longer visible, yet still shape the present.
Inquiry
Conceptual Context
At the core of Air of Freedom No. 2 lies the image of a balloon that once floated freely in the sky. Its explosion is not represented literally. Instead, the painting focuses on what remains after that moment: fragments that, upon reaching the ground, transform into flowers.
This transformation reframes the idea of ending. The balloon does not disappear; it changes state. The work proposes transformation as a natural evolution—quiet, necessary, and fertile—rather than as a dramatic break.
Symbolism and Visual Language
The Balloon as a Metaphor
In this painting, the balloon functions as a metaphor for life itself: fragile, elevated, temporary, and charged with expectation. Its absence is as meaningful as its former presence, inviting the viewer to imagine what once existed beyond the frame.
The Red Brushstroke
A distinct red brushstroke appears within the composition as a visual trace. Rather than acting as a decorative gesture, it serves as a sign—a confirmation that the balloon was once there. This mark operates simultaneously as memory, signature, and evidence of passage.
Flowers as Transformation
The flowers that emerge from the fallen fragments represent renewal and continuity. They are not symbols of consolation, but of transformation understood as growth. Through them, the painting suggests that what seems like an ending often contains the conditions for a beginning.
Materiality and Technique
Painted in oil on canvas, Air of Freedom No. 2 relies on layering and fluid transitions to reinforce its conceptual framework. The tactile quality of oil allows forms to appear in motion, as if still undergoing change. The medium itself becomes part of the narrative, emphasizing process over finality.
Place Within the Artist’s Practice
This work is part of Rosana Auqué’s ongoing exploration of memory, trace, and renewal. Rather than illustrating events, her paintings often focus on their residue—what remains after transformation has already occurred. Air of Freedom No. 2 exemplifies this approach by centering on absence, evidence, and quiet continuity.
Availability
Air of Freedom No. 2 is an original, one-of-a-kind oil painting available for acquisition.
For inquiries regarding purchase, exhibitions, or private viewings, please use the contact options provided on the official website.
Questions about the Artwork
What is Air of Freedom No. 2 about?
The painting explores transformation and renewal, using the metaphor of a balloon that bursts and becomes flowers, suggesting that endings often contain the seeds of new beginnings.
What does the balloon symbolize in the artwork?
The balloon represents life: fragile, temporary, elevated, and full of potential. Its disappearance signifies transformation rather than loss.
Why is there a red brushstroke in the painting?
The red brushstroke functions as a trace or signature, marking the past presence of the balloon and a++cting as visual evidence of what once existed.
What technique is used in Air of Freedom No. 2?
The work is executed in oil on canvas, using layered brushwork to emphasize process, materiality, and gradual transformation.
Is Air of Freedom No. 2 part of a series?
Yes. The painting belongs to a broader body of work in which Rosana Auqué explores themes of memory, transformation, and renewal through symbolic imagery.
Is the artwork available for purchase?
Yes. Air of Freedom No. 2 is available as an original artwork through the artist’s official website.
