Representational Art has been an integral part of the visual arts for centuries, experiencing a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years. The works depict the world around us, often with a realistic approach or accurate representation, from the human condition to social and cultural issues, to the perception of our surroundings. Representational painting has been used to depict a wide range of emotions, stories, and themes, becoming a powerful form of expression that conveys messages of social and political importance, as well as capturing the beauty of the everyday. Popular culture has also often been inspired by representational paintings, especially cinema, through films that explore themes and issues such as romance, beauty, fear, and the human condition.
Along these lines, on 21 April the MEAM will open an exhibition entitled Mimesis | Representational Art 2023. It will feature a careful selection of the most outstanding artists in contemporary representational art. The aim of the exhibition is to present an overview of the current trend through the great masters of representational art and its most outstanding artists. Artists who are leading the way today, not only because they are the forerunners of this artistic movement on an international level, but also because they have their roots in the pictorial tradition with the aim of seeking a new language of art of our time.
This exhibition aims to give visibility to the skill and creativity of contemporary artists who are pushing the boundaries of traditional representational art as well as discovering current artistic styles and techniques, through works that reflect diverse perspectives and styles, and the exploration of new themes that explore the beauty and the relevance of the human experience. The subject matter in this exhibition is based on the artist's own experience or interpretation of events in the world around him. Some works show detailed realism, capturing the complexities of the natural world with remarkable accuracy. Others are more abstract, playing with form and color to create dynamic, impressionistic images. Despite these differences, all the works in the exhibition are connected by their commitment to representational art and their ability to engage the viewer through their powerful use of visual narrative. Vibrant, dynamic, and timeless in character, this exhibition introduces the viewer to a wide range of styles and techniques and provides a deeper understanding of the artist's creative genius. By exploring this exhibition, one will gain a unique insight into the lives and experiences of those depicted in the works, and gain a deeper understanding of the human condition today. The artists in this exhibition have created captivating works that challenge the viewer's perceptions and invite the viewer to look at the world through a new perspective.
One of the most outstanding works in the exhibition is a diptych by the artist Antonio López García, an unpublished work fresh from the painter's studio and in an unusual format. Another outstanding work is a painting by the artist Gottfried Helnwein, who has taken the traditional portrait and transformed it into a powerful commentary on contemporary society and the wars in which it is immersed. We can also find works by artists such as Don Eddy, the father of American hyperrealism, or Guillermo Lorca García Huidobro, a Chilean painter of the contemporary baroque; as well as Alex Kanevsky, Mark Tennant, and Jeremy Mann, with their more transgressive realism that mix realism and abstraction, Antony Williams, Sebastian Schrader, Edward Povey, Sean Layh or Sebas Velasco, the latter known for his modern representations of the nocturnal urban landscape.
With this exhibition, visitors will delve into this fascinating style of painting and discover the techniques used today by talented painters. From the different approaches to painting the human figure to the techniques and materials most commonly used, this exhibition will provide an in-depth insight into the world of contemporary representational painting.
Mimesis is a must-see for anyone interested in the contemporary art world. With a wide range of styles and approaches, there is something for everyone, and the exhibition offers a fascinating window into the ways in which artists are exploring representation and pushing the boundaries of traditional art. So don't miss this chance to see some of the most talented artists working today and experience for yourself the power of contemporary painting. The exhibition will be on view in Barcelona until 25 June 2023.
