BE THEREInterludesPresented by 511 Gallery October 25, 2007- December 1, 2007Reception: October 25, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pmMichael Mogavero
In his most recent body of work, Mogavero has developed a series of paintings in which the desired and the forbidden are artistically exposed. Although partially obscured by elaborately-stylized gates, Mogavero has carefully painted explicit scenes of uninhibited couples exploring their sexuality. These highly graphic images, culled from pornographic websites on the internet, are executed in a variety of "innocent" colors that can render them, initially, as a component of the similarly-colored background. These scenes are juxtaposed with ornate gates, which simultaneously expose and hide the nudes. Contextualized in a Baroque style, these incongruent elements are forced into an uneasy co-existence, creating a sense of both harmony and discord between the surface and the imagery. In each piece, one can detect Mogavero's striking interest in gestural abstraction, a deep respect for the structural rigors of minimalism, and a romantic streak for poetic figuration. Mogavero says the compositions presented in Interludes flow as would scenes in a play, complete with dramatic lighting, hidden spaces and unembarrassed characters. The actors perform fiercely and boldly in a peculiar space where seduction and discomfort play hide-and-seek, in what the artist calls "a melding world of contrary melodies." Mogavero's artwork has been shown in galleries and museums around the world, and many of his pieces are included in both public and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe. He currently resides in Austin, Texas, and is an Associate Professor of Painting at the University of Texas.
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