MADRID - A BLACK OPENING

by M.L. Rozsa

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Charles Malinsky was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan in 1956. Since 1984, he has exhibited in Canada, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg, Los Angeles, and most recently in Madrid, Spain. His work can be found in private collections throughout the world and in permanent collections at the Maltwood Gallery, University of Victoria, The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Nickle Arts Museum, University of Calgary, The Alberta Foundation for the Arts, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

How Long the Road
oil on canvas, 60 x 40 in.

Some time has passed since the tragic bombings and life is returning to normal in Madrid.

For Canadian artist Charles Malinsky and his wife, Marilyn, March 11th was a day they will never forget. The couple moved to Spain five and a half years ago so Marilyn could pursue a flamenco dance career and Charles could be in closer proximity to the European art world. Calgarians will know Charles' work from numerous exhibitions he has had in that city and Marilyn for her role in developing an interest in flamenco.

Well in advance of the terrorist attack, March 11th was the date set for Charles' first solo exhibition in Madrid. Accustomed to the noise from the on-going construction projects in Madrid, when Charles was awakened by the sound of the bombs (he lives very close to the Atocha station) he didn't know what it was. It quickly became apparent, however, that something extraordinary was going on; the sound of sirens was too persistent. When he turned on the television he discovered that tragic events were unfolding right up the street.

Her Soul Was Weeping, Wounded and So Tiny
oil on canvas, 60 x 40 in.

After much intense and heart-wrenching discussion, the organizers seriously considered postponing the opening, but in the end they decided to proceed. Not only would it have been too difficult to contact all the invitees, they also wanted to send a message.

The exhibition featured two cycles of recent work by Malinsky: The Final Journey and Rapture of the Angels. The Final Journey is a pictorial representation of souls traveling from death to the next life via train; the tragic nature of the premonition cannot be overloooked in light of the horrendous bombings.

Pride and Solitude oil on canvas, 60 x 47 in.

Euphoria oil on canvas, 49 x 50 in.

As it turned out, and despite the tragic events of the day, a large crowd of Madrileños and many others gathered for the long anticipated exhibition.

The evening was very gratifying for all those who attended, confirming both the power and the impact of art. And while it wasn’t the gala event that had been anticipated, those in attendance discovered they were able to distance themselves a bit from the events of the day. They felt a need to withdraw from the horror and found temporary sanctuary in art and beauty. So a day that began with an unspeakable tragedy was already showing its resiliency. Yes. Art matters.

Rhapsody oil on canvas, 56.5 x 39 in.

Joy oil on canvas, 39 x 47 in.

Charles and Marilyn will continue living in Madrid, their beloved, adopted city, and will continue to travel by train. They share the sorrow and pain of all Spaniards and like them are moving forward.

Glory
oil on canvas, 41 x 63 in.