"The imposing figure of a bird whith open wings, projected in the entire horizontal extension of the painting, at first glance, it would seem to symbolically refer to the ample sense of freedom proposed in Gilberto Salvador's refined and mature painting. The image, apparently banal in its simplicity, exempt of any rigidity, is in reslity something that intends to reaffirm the possibility of new potentials dealt whith in the evolvement of its own language, outstanding itself in a certain manner, over the planes and representing a conceptual and structural detail of extreme importance in the artist's work of art. Some times, only suggested, almost abstract, it integrates itself into the background with ample softness, transforming itself in a essential part in the equilibrium of the composition. It is interesting to observe his appearance in different stages of a work initiated shortly after the 1964 military coup, whith propositions of figurative characteristics, elaborated on the politica-social drama that mob ilized millions of people in the country against the nightmare which in a most authoritarian form, restricted freedom of thought and retarded the structuring of a truedemocratic state among us. Notwithstanding the painter having participed in the above mentioned extensive resistance movement, one can clearly perceive that the meaning of this symbol here is very different. I believe, he intends, to rouse in those that see it, the idea of a larger purpose in the ambit of artistic creation, as of a vision disassociated from colloquialism, proposing a work of art open to all the varialble representations created by the sensitive man. In the same way, other figures, almost imperceptible - a bicycle or a feminine silhouette - disposes next other functions of the same proposition that make us reflect on the richness of the pictorial universe that unfolds itself in an enjoayable way before our...

...Here we are faced, despite the enormous difficulty of translating into words, whith a subtle musicality manifested in some of these paintings. Something that, for obviuos reasons, one cannot "listen" to with closed eyes and spirit, and that results in an old fashioned and passionate "case" of painter with the music.

An expert could discourse a lot more and much better about our dear Giba's work of art. Of planes, extures, lines, colors and of the discreet elegance resulting from its combinations. Of the graphics, that allow for a break in any eventual hardness in the combination. Or even of the happiness; of the frolic; of the pleasure transmitted by the magnificent interaction of the kaleidoscopic language. Perhaps, who knows, of the sensuality that, in certain moments, inspires us with its gestuality. At the moment, it would be going too far. Even because, I believe that many texts on works of art by fine arts artists do not manage to dimension them in their entirety and even less so aproximate them to people. Therefore, it will be for the best to follow this exhibit that assembles the recent works of a sensitive artist, with full dominion of his techniques, in the thirty years of his career. I feel honored with your invition to write these lines and happy of being able to participate of this commemoration, which I co nsider fair, due to the excellent contribution that Gilberto Salvador has given to our culture. "

Paulinho da Viola

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