The “Sink” series is a visual exploration of intimate spaces where identity, emotion, and culture intersect. Inspired by the dualities of Villarreal’s upbringings—navigating between the rationalism of Western thought and the magical realism of Latin American culture—he use the Sink as a metaphorical altar where the rituals of daily life unfold. In these spaces, the boundaries between the physical and emotional blur, revealing the complex layers of human experience.
The sink, a mundane yet deeply personal object, becomes a site of transformation. It is where we perform the routine act of cleaning, a ritual that is both physical and symbolic. Through these rituals, we engage in a continuous process of self-reflection and renewal, washing away guilt, regret, and sadness. These acts are not just about removing the dirt of the day; they are about the constant negotiation of our identity. Each time we face ourselves in the mirror above the sink, we confront who we are and who we aspire to be.
In the “Sink” series, organic subjects—symbolizing the cycles of death and rebirth—interact with this sacred space, revealing the beauty and complexity of life’s transitions. These transitions, whether personal losses or emotional upheavals, play a crucial role in shaping our identity. The series captures the tension between life and death, rationalism and magical realism, reflecting the duality that defines much of Villarreal’s own cultural experience.
Through the use of color, symbolism, and texture, the “Sink” series delves into the emotional and psychological aspects of identity. The sink serves as a canvas where the internal conflicts of the self are processed and where cultural expressions of emotion and belief collide. By examining these tensions, the series challenges viewers to consider how identity is formed and transformed within these private and everyday rituals.
At its core, the “Sink” series is a meditation on the fluidity of identity—a commentary on how we are constantly evolving, shaped by the interplay of cultural, emotional, and personal forces. It is an invitation to reflect on the spaces where we confront ourselves and to reconsider how these spaces shape our understanding of who we are.