Solar Shadow 

Author: Cordelia Urueta

Title: Solar Shadow (Sombra solar)

Creation Date: 1986

Materials/Techniques: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 55.5 × 47.2 inches

Location: Private collection

In Solar Shadow (Sombra solar, 1986), Cordelia Urueta continues her exploration of abstract forms and vibrant color, building on the themes presented in Threshold (1983). In this piece, Urueta uses a rich palette of red and orange hues, blending them with darker, almost shadowy tones to evoke a sense of depth and warmth. The composition is less defined, with overlapping planes and blurred edges creating an immersive, almost pulsating effect. These abstract layers of color seem to suggest a hidden dimension, drawing viewers into a mysterious, intense interior world.

Solar Shadow resonates with Threshold in its use of red as a dominant color, yet it introduces a more complex interplay of light and darkness. Where Threshold evoked a portal or doorway, Solar Shadow feels like a descent into something more elemental and visceral. The title hints at an interplay between light and shadow, possibly referencing the sun’s transformative power and its potential to cast darkness.

Urueta’s fascination with Theosophical themes and the spiritual potential of color is evident in both paintings. In Solar Shadow, her abstract forms and rich tones invite the viewer to contemplate deeper, hidden energies—perhaps a reflection on life’s cyclical nature or the balance between light and dark. Both pieces represent her mature style, where Urueta moves away from figurative work and uses abstraction to express complex spiritual and emotional experiences. Together, they offer a profound exploration of color as a vehicle for the mystical and the unknown.