There’s a spirit in the paintings of Augustin Holder, a hat-wearing shadow figure, all in black except for a white collar peaking out. It’s an image at odds with the artist’s otherwise colorful abstractions. Imposing as the form may be, it’s not malevolent.
Quite the opposite.
“Really this character is really a reflection of our soul. And this man, he’s really your guardian angel. That’s what it is. He’s your guardian angel,” Holder said.
Mr. Nocternal, as the artist calls him, appeared in Holder’s paintings at least a decade ago. The black figure isn’t in every work, but when Mr. Nocternal shows up, he owns the space.
“I started painting him and I cannot stop painting him,” Holder said. “He’s been around with me and, like I said, he may seem intimidating but he’s your guardian angel.”
Holder shows his paintings at The Italians, also known as We Are Wine, in Estate Bovoni on Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
