In this second entry, Gabriel reflects on an existential turning point in his practice, brought into sharper focus by considering the lens of absurdism as articulated by Albert Camus. Confronting the futility of fully reconstructing the human story, he begins to see his work not as a solution, but as a mirror of his own search for meaning.

In this opening reflection of a multi-part philosophical retrospective, Gabriel Vinas traces the arc of his early work—from childhood portraiture to evolutionary reconstruction—as part of a search for coherence after leaving a religious upbringing. What began as a quest for understanding became a deeper confrontation with uncertainty, mortality, and the limits of knowledge.

In this reflection, Gabriel confronts the tension between ambition and reality, reframing personal growth not as a struggle to close the gap, but as an ongoing act of shaping—both in art and in life.

In this reflection, Gabriel responds to a student’s question about where his “Cuban-ness” appears in his work. As he explores his personal history and reconsiders his artistic philosophy, his answer may challenge conventional ideas of identity and representation.

A Lemon Grows. A poem by Gabriel Vinas

In his inaugural column of On Looking, Gabriel reflects on the practice of 'beginning again'—a guiding principle in both his art and life. As he steps into a new chapter, Gabriel invites readers to this series to explore themes of mindfulness, creativity, and the fleeting nature of the present moment.