28.12.2017 Views

Mike Dargas Healing Beauty

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preface<br />

Born in 1983 currently living and working between<br />

his native Cologne and Los Angeles, <strong>Mike</strong> <strong>Dargas</strong><br />

represents a quintessential contemporary artist<br />

whose style reflects a fusion of classical technique<br />

with the aesthetics of the digital age.<br />

Entirely self-taught, <strong>Dargas</strong>’ technical and stylistic approach to painting depicts a holistic absorption<br />

of the variety of artistic mediums and crafts that he has practiced. From composing large-scale chalk<br />

drawings as a child, to carpentry and his time as a tattooist, <strong>Dargas</strong>’ accomplished work contains elements<br />

of each medium.<br />

In this series of works ‘<strong>Healing</strong> <strong>Beauty</strong>’, these themes come to the forefront in his exploration of fragility<br />

and the feminine aspects of identity. The composition of <strong>Dargas</strong>’ portraiture presents an underlying<br />

interest in the covering or coating of the skin or the figure, by liquid or material. The lifelike element can be<br />

seen within the pose of the sitters, often in movement, with drips suspended in time. Thus, the paintings,<br />

resemble the photographic medium capturing the ephemeral beauty. As <strong>Mike</strong> <strong>Dargas</strong> says, “My paintings<br />

are trying to catch an emotional snapshot and are trying to evoke a certain feeling to the viewer”.<br />

Opera Gallery is delighted to collaborate with <strong>Mike</strong> <strong>Dargas</strong>’ for his first solo show in Asia and we look forward<br />

to presenting the promising artist’s latest works in Hong Kong.<br />

Gilles Dyan<br />

Founder and Chairman<br />

Opera Gallery Group<br />

Sharlane Foo<br />

Director<br />

Opera Gallery Hong Kong<br />

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