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WEEKEND THE WASHINGTON POST DECEMBER 9, 1977/Page 8

GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

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Galleries Files: The Harsh, Hidden Face of Latin America

Tired of South American travel guides showing nothing but pictures of the same old resort scenes? Take a trip over to the Fondo del Sol, a Spanish-American gallery whose current exhibit, "Latin America: The Other Image," details a slice of life not too well known here.

Even though it's essentially a showing of paintings and sculpture by top-notch artists, don't be surprised that the works on display are highly political--all the exhibitors are living in exile, either self-imposed or involuntary. Which makes it all the more powerful.

Brazilian sculptor Guido Rocha's "The Inquiry," five figures standing over the remains of what was once a missing citizen, and Myriam Holgado's smeared, sanded cardboard drawings of torture scenes in Argentina convey the biting horror of political repression, as does the stirring untitled mixed-media piece of Chilean workers, before, during and after the coup, by photographer Marcelo Montecino--even if you don't know that his brother was killed in the 1973 military takeover.

Collages by Helga Krebs buffooning military leaders, Sebastian Matta's surreal lithographs of battles between civilians and armed forces, and Rene Castro's haunting print (above) of Chacabuco--an abandoned mine now used as a concentration camp--all show dignity, love of life and strength of conviction in the face of tragedy that goes beyond words.

The exhibit continues through Dec. 17 at 2112 R St. NW.

--CAROL CONN

Transcription Notes:
Description of image: Rene Castro's print of Chacabuco--an abandoned mine now used as a concentration camp