Solo exhibition in Barcelona
Kirtimukhas is the name of my 2013 solo exhibition presented at Miscelanea gallery in Spain.
In 2013 I presented my solo art show at Miscelanea gallery, one of the leading creative art space in the Spanish city.
Discover the artworks and the story behind my solo exhibition.
What is Miscelanea?
Miscelanea is a multidisciplinary art space in Barcelona, Spain.
Miscelanea aims to promote the best of contemporary artistic expressions. The art center offers an outstanding art gallery along a space dedicated to live music, a workspace for artists, a coffee-house and an art shop.
In 2012, I took part in a group exhibition called Dress Your Wall. The experience was really positive so I haave decided to present my 2013 solo show called Kirtimukhas in this remarkable Spanish space.
Located in the Raval area, Miscelanea is probably the best gallery in Spain to present the leading artists of the new generation.
Drawing of a masked character for my new exhibition Kirtimukhas.
I drew the artworks with sketch markers on fine art paper.
What does Kirtimukhas means?
Kirtimukha is a Sanscrit word for a swallowing fierce creature in the Hindu culture.
Kirtimukha is the name of a mythical monster created by Lord Shiva. The story is found in the religious text called Skanda Purana. To make a long story short, the God of destruction decided to create a monster to punish a king who had insulted him. After Shiva eventually kills the king Himself, He asks the beast to eat his own body, starting from the tail until only the face is left.
He then gives the monster the name of Kirtimukha which means “glory face”.
The new artworks have been hand-drawn exclusively for the art show.
I will present my new pieces in Miscelanea gallery in Barcelona, Spain.
Why Kirtimukhas?
The faces you can see in my artworks are faces of young teenagers.
This exhibition is part of a larger saga I develop over the years throughout my various art projects.
The saga called La Société Des Griffeurs and tells the story of a group of kids who fly from the Parisian suburbs to the jungle of Borneo in Indonesia. They live together and create a utopian society based on animatistic instincts.
After some times, the kids create rituals and simulate a cultural heritage they never had. Members of the community also wear masks, as a way to re-invent themselves through a new identity.
Kirtimukhas is a tribute to Hindu cultures and a graphic reflexion over self-created rituals and simulated heritages.
The handmade drawings are part of a larger saga called La Société Des Griffeurs.
Kirtimukhas is the name of the solo exhibition I will present in the Spanish art gallery.
How did you work for this show?
I’ve start to work on this new series of artworks six months before the exhibition.
My working process is actually quite simple and can be divided in the following steps:
- I WORK on the general concept behind my solo show. I actually write a story, as a reminder to keep a certain coherence with my past and upcoming art projects.
- I DRAW the sketches of my future artworks on my computer. Coming from an illustration background, it helps me to start with a digital version of my future handmade art pieces.
- I SOURCE THE BEST TOOLS and medium which are the most relevant for the particular art project. Besides, I love the challenge of using new tools and to learn how to master pencils or brushes I have never used before.
For example after a painting exhibition, I would present a screen-printing show followed by a series of handmade drawings. - WHEN I MASTER the tools I chose, I start to work on my artworks. For Kirtimukhas, I chose to work with premium alcohol-based sketch markers on fine art paper.
The artworks creation is long and painful, because I want to create perfectly clean lines. I dedicate my life to my art and I always try my best to come up with a smashing series that will surprise and satisfy my followers. - I KEEP IN MIND the general settings. I think about the best way to display the artworks in the gallery that will host my art event.
- I INSTALL the artworks and have some drinks with the art-lovers who attend the opening of my solo exhibition.
In conclusion, I would say that my exhibitions are wonderful opportunities to experiment with new tools. I work very hard during six months to present a show people will enjoy for a couple of hours.
Kirtimukhas is a graphic reflexion over self-created rituals and simulated heritages.
The art show questions self-defined identities.
Where was the Kirtimukhas exhibition?
Miscelanea gallery presented my art show Kirtimukhas from October 2nd to October 19th 2013 in Barcelona in Spain.
The art space is in Raval on 10, Guardia street.
You could meet me over a drink and attend the opening of the solo exhibition Kirtimukhas on October 2nd from 6pm at the gallery.
I will be happy to answer any question regarding Kirtimukhas.
Do not hesitate to contact me for exclusive texts and be granted with an access to hi-res pictures.
Feel free to download Kirtimukas press release bellow:
The drawings combine clean lines and graphic experimentations.
Don’t forget to check the pictures of the opening of this solo art exhibition in Barcelona.
