Asteroid 

Author: Cordelia Urueta

Title: Asteroid (Asteroide)

Creation Date: 1968

Materials/Techniques: Oil on canvas

Dimensions: 47.2 × 63 inches

Location: Collection of the Museum of Modern Art, INBA

In Asteroid (Asteroide, 1968), Cordelia Urueta delves deeper into abstraction, presenting a celestial form that hovers against a rich, earthy background. The painting is dominated by warm, reddish hues that give the impression of both energy and depth, enveloping the asteroid-like sphere in a mysterious atmosphere. Urueta’s use of intense reds and purples creates a sense of cosmic motion and layered textures, evoking an otherworldly quality that connects the terrestrial with the celestial.

This work relates to her later pieces like Radiance and Solar Shadow, where she also used red as an emotional and energetic force. Here, however, the circular form takes center stage, symbolizing perhaps a planet, a star, or even a metaphysical realm. The layering and blurring of shapes within the sphere suggest a fusion of energies or ideas, embodying Urueta's interest in Theosophical concepts of the universe as interconnected and dynamic.

In comparison to works like Threshold and Red Cloud, Asteroid reflects Urueta’s continued exploration of abstracted natural and cosmic landscapes. This painting stands as a testament to her fascination with the unknown, reinforcing her pursuit of a spiritual and mystical language in art. Through her blending of colors and textures, she invites the viewer into an introspective space, encouraging a contemplation of existence beyond the immediate physical world.