I have just returned home from a twelve-day holiday in Spain and Portugal and once again when I was in the Algarve I visited the town of Loulé and went to one of my favourite small galleries, Artcatto, one which I featured in September 2022. There was a new selection of outstanding contemporary art, and in this blog I will concentrate on work by three of the artists.
Voka
Voka at work in his studio
Voka in his studio
“I’M EVER SEARCHING FOR THE PERFECT PAINTING. BUT ALWAYS HOPING NOT TO FIND IT – BECAUSE IT’S THE SEARCH THAT I REALLY LOVE SO MUCH.”
These are the words of the artist known as Voka. Voka was born in Austria in 1965 and now lives and works in his studio in Puchberg am Schneeberg, a town in the south-eastern part of Lower Austria.
Jimi by Voka (2020) Acrylic on wood.
He has described his artistic style as spontaneous realism. For him, this style is a revival of the significance of contemporary art, which he looks upon as a valued tradition in a new era. His paintings are distinguished by his use of bright colours which portray subjects of everyday life, portraits, and sports.
Frida by Voka
His paintings exploit texture and his dramatic mark making animate the subjects of his artwork. In his portraiture series simply called Heads, VOKA put his subjects in the centre of his work. His artistic style is easily recognisable, which evolves out of the vitality of a moment in time. His portraits are not only of important personalities but also often depict unknown characters. The aim of Voka’s portraiture is not only to capture the facial characteristics of his subjects but he endeavours to ascertain the “true being” behind the presence”.
Andy Warhol by Voka
Voka says that every one of his paintings is a huge challenge for him, but especially with the “heads” series. He says that he exhaustively analyses every person he depicts. For him, every person is special and exceptional in their own way. The person I depict is unique. He believes that every person who he observes or meets or who hurries past him has their own story to tell. He also reckons that when he paints them, these stories become his. None of his portraits are a mirror image of the real person. They are always a portrait of his point of view.
Vienna by Voka
Voka’s artwork is not just portraiture. He has completed many cityscapes such as Vienna……
Venezia by Voka
……..and Venice.
The city by Voka
NYC by Voka
Voka also liked to depict the chaotic life in the city such as his many paintings of the streets of New York. He described his love of these vibrant city depictions, saying:
“...I like to go to the busy parts of a city- the pedestrian zones, market halls, usual meeting places. Here, in a short space of time, new pictures are always being created before my eyes without me ever having to change location. Cities are often rigid and unmoving places in spite of their impressive architecture. It is the people who breathe life into them and this life couldn’t be more diverse: the movement of the people, their clothing, mentality and customs, their dealings with one another often differ notably depending on where you are. Every bit of this earth has its own rhythm and I try to capture it…”
Voka’s artwork can be found in collections and museums throughout Europe, Russia and America.
Thomas Bossard
Thomas Bossard
In the gallery there were also a number of paintings by the French artist, Thomas Brossard.
Le Bonhomme de Niege by Thomas Bossard
Thomas Brossard was born in the French town of Poitiers and studied Graphic Arts in Lille from 1987 to 1993 at the Institut Saint Luc à Tournai, Belgium. His original plan was to go into advertising where his graphic art would be needed. His future plans were put on hold when he became enamoured with the theatre. He explains his change of heart:
“…It was at the Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse, as a painter-decorator, that I was able to Begin to express my artistic palette in all its versatility: illustration, painting, scenography, frescoes, photography, decoration, etc. by creating numerous decorations for works of art (Die Meistersinger, Siegfried, Twilight of the Gods, The Magic Flute, The Auberge du Cheval Blanc, etc.). I then worked as a set designer for various directors’ stage, notably Pierre Debauche. I have also directed storyboards for short films and commercials, not to mention sets designed for a TV series produced by Vagabonds Movies. I also made drawings on porcelain for Yves Deshoulières’ factory. Finally, I have created posters for shows, festivals and feature films…”
Balade à Venise by Thomas Bossard
His depictions of the theatre reveal the humour and comical life behind the scenes and his large canvas’s show the insignificance of man. Prior to becoming a professional artist, he worked with in the theatre, creating and putting together stage sets for plays and opera.
Les Gagnants by Thomas Bossard
Looking at his work, it is easy to see that Bossard has a very deep understanding of human nature.
La Cuisine Gastronomique by Thomas Bossard
His work has been greatly influenced by artists such as Velasquez, Vermeer, and Rembrandt. Thomas works long hours in his studio with just his music as company; he has a great love of classical music. He exhibits his work in Paris, Toulouse, and throughout France, as well as in British galleries in London, Birmingham, Cambridge, Edinburgh and Falmouth.
La Petite Balcon by Thomas Bossard
There is a childlike simplicity about Bossard’s work and yet there is a certain something which captures our gaze. The depictions are often mischievous and naïve and yet are pleasing to the eye.
Mr Brainwash
Mr Brainwash (Thierry Guetta)
My third offering is works of art from Thierry Guetta who uses the psuedonym Mr Brainwash. His contemporary art is best thought as a morphing between pop art and street art and came to the fore after a documentary film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, directed by Banksy.
The film was Academy nominated and regales the evolutionary passage of the street art movement with Mr Brainwash, like Banksy, bringing art to the masses.
Banksy Thrower by Mr Brainwash
Guetta’s art style has been described as both innovative and fearless. It is a combination of pop art of the past and the raw components of his early street art work. There is such a similarity between the works of Mr Brainwash and Banksy that some believe they are one and the same person.
Not Guilty by Mr Brainwash
His exhibitions are breathtaking in size and his artwork can be seen in the film and TV world , such as Molly’s Game, Billions, Shameless and The Kardashians.
Madonna’s “CELEBRATION” Album cover by Mr Brainwash
He has designed a number of album covers for the likes of Madonna who approached him to design fifteen different covers for the worldwide release, singles, DVDs and special edition vinyl of her Celebration album.
Pele by Mr Brainwash
Photo of Pele with Mr Brainwash
There is a childlike simplicity about Bossard’s work and yet there is a certain something which captures our gaze. The depictions are often mischievous and naïve and yet are pleasing to the eye.
Work Well Together by Mr Brainwash
Thierry Guetta was born on January 31st, 1966 in Garges-lès-Gonesse, a commune in the Val-d’Oise department in northern France, He is best known by his moniker Mr. Brainwash, and now lives in Los Angeles.
Brother’s Advice by Mr Brainwash
Mr Brainwash has had his work shown at many exhibitions, both in America and Europe.
Shen Ming Cun
Although I said at the beginning I would be featuring three different artists who had works on show at Artcatto when I visited there a fortnight ago, I cannot end this blog with out mentioning my favourite paintings which still have a small room to themselves and are still on show.
Beautiful Headress by Shen Ming Cun
Shen Ming says that he draws his inspiration from the ancient traditions, crafts and culture of the tribes of the Miao, Yao and Dong of the remote GuangXi region of China. Time does not stop still and there are large changes in China which is causing a massive strain on the ancient way of life in these small village communities and as the young people leave the villages to seek work in the large cities one has to wonder how long these cultures can survive.
Looking at You by Shen Ming Cun
Each of the tribe has a quite unique tradition in dress and adornment from the other. The young girls sew everything entirely by hand and their jewellery is crafted in the village. Shen’s artwork the inimitable customs, dress and heritage of these minority tribes of Southern China. His painting demonstrate his empathy and admiration of these tribal people as they possess a lyrical beauty, dignity and grace.
Silver Necklace by Shen Ming Cun
Shen’s artwork manages to capture the chromatic vibrancy of the costumes and ornate silver jewellery with a lightness and confidence that has undoubtedly led to his success. Their clothes and adornments are genuine symbols of the wealth, religion, ritual and national consciousness that shape their lives. Shen explains his inspirational art:
“…I have spent a long time researching the richly colourful cultural heritage of the Yao and Miao nationalities and the Dong minority of Southern China. Over the years I have lived amongst them and become friends with these beautiful people who radiate pure goodness and a simple love of life. Cultivating their ancestor’s achievements, they turn life into immortal art…”
my daily art display 