In Quiet Structures, Karl Lago presents a series of assemblages that dwell in restraint, attentiveness, and material sensitivity. Using dried palm cuttings as his primary medium, Lago constructs abstract forms that feel simultaneously intentional and unforced—shaped as much by patience as by composition.

 

Each work is built through layering and balance rather than dominance. The palm fragments retain their natural grain, curvature, and irregularity, allowing the material to guide the final form. Acrylic is applied sparingly, functioning as an accent rather than a surface, introducing moments of color that breathe within the structure instead of overwhelming it. Earth tones are punctuated by soft blues, muted greens, and occasional brighter notes, creating a visual rhythm that mirrors organic growth.

 

The structures that emerge are neither rigid nor chaotic. They occupy a space of quiet tension—holding together through subtle relationships rather than obvious symmetry. Titles such as You are a Garden, Sit with the Quiet, and Softer Volumes position the works as invitations to slow looking, where meaning unfolds through duration and attention.

 

Rather than depicting nature, Quiet Structures listens to it. The works propose abstraction as a contemplative act—one rooted in care, stillness, and the understanding that structure does not require force. In this series, Lago offers forms that do not demand to be seen quickly, but reward those willing to pause.