W&N materials used
Galeria Acrylic
About David Moscoso
David Moscoso is a remarkable young painter based in the small university city of Ambato deep in the Ecuadorian Andes. The city enjoys a spectacularly precarious location surrounded by high volcanic peaks, one of which is actively spewing out ash filled smoke to this day.
In 1947, the area was devastated by an earthquake which killed thousands of its residents and destroyed virtually every building in the city including the city's cathedral. 10 years later, a new cathedral was built to replace the one lost and in 2006-2007, a major renovation of the new cathedral's interior was commissioned.
It was for this project that artist, David Moscoso was chosen to paint. A local marketing graduate who decided to turn his back on his chosen academic subject in order to pursue his love for painting, he was only 32 when he was selected to paint the interior of the dome. A dome which is 20 metres in diameter and 60 metres above the church's floor. The commission also included the painting of the curved wall behind the altar and 2 four metre diameter circular canvases which hang high on the interior walls alongside the stained glass windows.
With a single mindedness that sets him apart from many others, David worked at developing both his own style and techniques. Much of his work combines a profound devotion to the natural environment in which he lives and a deep religious faith. The two elements are inextricably linked in his work, a fact which has brought him controversy as well as commendation.
As a young man, David was deeply influenced by the work of Frederick Church which he saw during a study visit to the USA. However as a self-motivated student and a thinker, David has learnt from many of the old masters in developing his own very unique style.
Painting the interior dome of the cathedral was a monumental undertaking, as witnessed in the photos. Overcoming the difficulties presented by the complex scaffolding required, David worked against the clock spending entire days balanced precariously while painting against a tight time schedule. The dimensions and proportions are difficult to appreciate without seeing them in situ. The challenges posed by the curved walls of the dome, the need to keep in mind that the viewer would be seeing it from 60 metres below, not to mention the effect of the light which enters through a ring of vertical windows in the upper apex of the cupola. The sheer physical challenges of the project made this a superhuman effort even without consideration of the artistic dimension.
In the course of the painting, David fielded the misgivings of both the Bishop and the architect with regard to the use of such bright vibrant colour and his portrayal of the local volcanoes in the work. He stood firmly by his conviction and succeeded in winning over the doubters through a combination of reasoned argument and sheer brilliance of execution. When you stand beneath the dome and look at the finished work, you cannot fail to be awestruck by its combination of power and sensitivity.
Once the dome was finished, David moved on to the alter wall, working against ever increasing time pressure to meet the deadline set. As he applied the final brushstrokes towards the end of January 2007, he received a call that his sister was about to give birth. His work was complete and the happy coincidence of the arrival of his niece presented the opportunity to name that particular work after her. Paula will become immortal in the town of Ambato.