Christian Barbosa: Portraits that about more than just their subjects

“I really like to portray people, animals, and landscapes,” the Argentinian artist Christian Barbosa says, and his sensitivity to facial expressions and body positions gives his oil-on-canvas portraits a strong appeal. Capturing the “gestural rhythms of those portrayed” is a central aspect of his work, and the sense of movement, texture and space in his work magnifies the effect of those rhythms. But while revealing the personalities of his subjects is one goal of his paintings, it is hardly the only one. With their bold use of line and color, Barbosa’s paintings express what he calls a “double opinion” about his subjects—bringing each one alive while also documenting the experience of making the painting.

Barbosa cites Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon as major influences in his work, and his paintings share the combination of realism and expressionism that makes their work so powerful. In particular, his handling of light and shadows shows echoes of Freud’s style, but Barbosa’s portraits bring those influences powerfully into the present, helping him to realize his goal of finding beauty in what surrounds him.

Exhibition Dates: April 25, 2017  – May 16, 2017

Reception: Thursday, April 27, 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Gallery Hours: Tues-Sat 11:00am – 6:00pm

Gallery Location: 530 West 25th St, Chelsea, New York

Event URL:  http://www.agora-gallery.com/artistpage/Christian_Barbosa.aspx

Featured Artists:

Persistence of Form

Raul Mariaca Dalence  |  Marina Sutter  |  Sandra Nitchie  |  Josie Mengai  |  Christian Barbosa

About the Exhibition

Persistence of Form

Agora Gallery showcases new perspectives on realism this spring with Persistence of Form. A highly specialized group exhibition, Persistence of Form brings together representational artists working in oil, pastel, spray paint, watercolor, and acrylic. Though they vary widely in subject matter and approach, every participant is thoughtful and focused in rendering form, down to the small details. However, unlike many traditionally realistic works, these pieces are spirited, unexpected, and thoroughly modern. This exhibition highlights an area of the contemporary art scene that is often overlooked by both the public and many art institutions.

Only a handful of artists were chosen to participate in Persistence of Form. There is a landscape artist who conjures images of the environment that manage to be both incredibly accurate and utterly fantastic visions of paradise. There are two portraitists: one who depicts faces at close range with hyperrealism, and one who employs the full-length body as a vehicle for emotional expression. There is the artist who interrogates famous figures using their recognizable forms, and the artist who captures little moments of everyday life in saturated colors.