The softly pulsing tropical delights of Costa Rican painter Federico Herrero are gone from Bridgette Mayer Gallery, replaced by the hard-edged ambiance of Nathan Pankratz this month. There is room in this world for all. But I want to say I found sunshine inside Mayer’s gallery the day I saw Herrero’s gorgeous pastel-inflamed universe — and it was raining outside. Herrero’s happy works, with their roots in street art painting –note the cartoon characters and the proud spray paint drips — are loveable. The artist made his mark painting exterior walls in Costa Rica, then made his big mark on the art world in the 2001 Venice Bienale, where he was featured (with a site-specific wall painting) to great acclaim. It’s was a coup to have Herrero’s works in Philadelphia (he even did some site-specific wall work in the gallery). And check the videos on the gallery’s website to hear the artist talk about his works. He’s in the stable now and will be back, so if you missed it, catch it next time.
