Grey Man 

Author: Cordelia Urueta

Title: Grey Man (Hombre Gris)

Creation Date: 1967

Materials/Techniques: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 54.53 × 42.52 inches.

Location: [Information not available]

In Grey Man (Hombre gris, 1967), Cordelia Urueta explores abstraction through subtle, muted tones and simplified, minimal forms. The central figure, a faceless silhouette, is rendered in soft grays with a rounded shape that suggests both solidity and vulnerability. The figure is framed within a rectangular background, creating a sense of containment, as if the figure exists within its own introspective realm.

The rounded yellow shape above the figure's head could be interpreted as a halo or an emanation, adding a spiritual or contemplative dimension to the image. Urueta’s use of red—a bold, U-shaped arc at the center and a vibrant red plane below—adds a striking contrast, imbuing the otherwise subdued palette with a hint of vitality or inner warmth. The red element could represent a heart, a grounding force, or an internal fire, symbolizing the life force or soul within the gray exterior.

As in many of her works, Urueta seems to evoke Theosophical ideas here, focusing on the inner spiritual essence rather than the outer form. This piece invites viewers to consider the complex layers of identity and spirit that lie beneath a seemingly unadorned surface. Grey Man reflects Urueta’s journey into abstraction, where color and form serve as conduits for a deep, introspective spirituality.