Michael Mogavero
Austin, TX
Website
michaelmogavero.com
Social Media
Instagram
How would you describe your work?
For many years my paintings have utilized influences from diverse stylistic formats such as ornamentation, abstraction, minimalism and representation. The paintings, sculptures, and architecture of Italy have provided my inspiration for these works. The theatrical lighting and the dramatic narratives in so much of Renaissance art have been specifically influential throughout the last decade of my work.
I work to present a symphony of form, light, gesture and color woven together to form a psychologically complex space in my paintings, rich with poetic substance. While interpretations of the paintings are as varied as the layering of the materials used to make them, I hope they can be seen as a beautiful and powerful orchestration of what I call, “free form jazz.”
Selected images, which incorporate ornamental objects & patterns, ironwork and architectural motifs as well as references to landscape and foliage, roam the surface of the picture plane and are layered over and over. Juxtapositions between these disparate elements are created to form both a sense of harmony and discord between the images. Structures, objects and images not usually associated with one another are coaxed and manipulated into co-existing.
I am interested in the rhythms of “looking,” the journey the eye takes as it maneuvers through worlds unknown. My desire to invent those dramatic and operatic worlds is the driving force behind my work. I continually try to surprise myself with what the picture will ultimately look like. This way, I am allowed to experience the adventure as well.
What inspires you?
The list is too long to include everything, but:
–all art, from all centuries, all periods & movements throughout history
–theatre
–cinema
–dance
–music
–nature
–architecture
–ornaments
–poetry
Can you speak about your process?
Very traditional oil painting techniques, mostly with densely layered surfaces & images continually, morphing & evolving towards their final destination
How did you became interested in art?
Drawing as a young boy slowly began to become an obsession. Through amazing teachers and mentors throughout my education I became infatuated with Art History and by Graduate school I was able to study with so many luminous mentors, such as: Grace Hartigan, Phillip Guston, Elaine DeKooning, Irving Sandler, Jack Tworkov, Salvatore Scarpitta amongst many others. Travel in Europe and living in NYC during the 80’s & 90’s only solidified my passion for making paintings, drawings & prints
Do you have any favorite artists?
(again, the list is far too long to be total, but:
–Veronese
–Botticelli
–Tiepolo
–Manet
–Vulliard
–Mondrian
–Philip Guston
–Lee Krasner
–Kara Walker
–Elizabeth Murry
–Agnes Martin
–Alice Neel
–Eva Hesse
Could go on and on!
Any more thoughts about art or creativity?
This magical “thing” we call art has always been a mysterious, poetic and powerful aspect of the humankind. From the earliest days known, mankind has created visual images to explain, honor, describe, enthrall, entertain, influence and advance our own human culture through the spiritual, the historical, the mythical and the inspirational modes of how our world has evolved. I find every aspect of those journeys, important, crucial and intriguing. The forever evolving aspects of this “magic” is never ending, and always, always imperative!
