Rediscovering the Everyday: Michael Abel’s “Mutt” Exhibition

In the heart of New York City,YveYANG Gallery displays Michael Abel’s evocative exhibition,”Mutt.” This captivating collection invites viewers to revisit the essence of Impressionism adn post-Impressionism – a party of the ordinary, the fleeting, and the everyday moments that define our lives. Abel’s mastery shines through in his meticulous brushstrokes and keen eye for beauty hidden in the mundane.

A Surreal Twist on the Familiar

Abel’s work, exemplified by pieces like “Moonlight (After Munch)” (2024) and “The Green Christ (After Denis)” (2024), masterfully blends stylistic references with a contemporary flair. He achieves this through unique juxtapositions of objects,interwoven with a visual narrative expressed through color,form,and texture.This approach results in an unexpected surrealism, imbuing familiar scenes with a new layer of intrigue.

“Lady Liberty Bounce V02” (2024) perfectly encapsulates this. The dark, enigmatic Statue of Liberty appears to sway before a car, its open doors revealing a similarly ominous interior. Abel’s expressionistic treatment, rendered through rough, hairy strokes, accentuates the black shadows amidst the green highlights, imbuing Liberty with a sense of unsettling grace.

The Intimate gaze: Portraits of the Unseen

Abel’s exploration takes a deeply personal turn in two large canvases dedicated to his own hair – “Mutt” (2024) and “Mutt (Spike)” (2024). These works offer a unique viewpoint on self-portraiture, focusing on the rarely glimpsed back of the head. We might only catch this view fleetingly at the barber’s chair, yet we see countless backs of heads in our daily lives. Abel invites us to delve into this paradoxical space—rare yet commonplace.

“Mutt” presents a partial head, a shoulder, and an upper arm, cropped in a way that sparks curiosity about the subject. Abel even flips the composition upside down,further defying our expectations. Our gaze is drawn to the darkness of the hair and the subtle interplay of gray creases, pink shadows, and pale highlights on the flesh.

“Mutt (Spike)” strips away the body entirely, focusing on a single tuft of hair as a powerful metonym. The artist utilizes powerful brushstrokes, predominantly black, but depth is added through sienna, umber, and hazy white. This creates a sense of both unity and fragmentation, with some “spikes” crisp and self-reliant, while others blend seamlessly with the surrounding flesh tones.

Abel’s “Mutt” exhibition offers a captivating exploration of the ordinary, the overlooked, and the profound beauty hidden within. By pushing the boundaries of traditional portraiture and surrealism, Abel compels us to reconsider our perception of the world around us and appreciate the remarkable in the everyday.

Rediscovering the Everyday: Michael Abel’s “Mutt” Exhibition

Michael Abel’s captivating exhibition “Mutt” is currently on display at YveYANG gallery in New York city, inviting viewers to explore the beauty found in the ordinary, the fleeting, and those everyday moments that define our lives. The exhibition features a collection of paintings that capture the essence of everyday life, from close-ups of hair to depictions of mundane objects.

An Interview with Michael Abel by Alexandra Delacroix

Alexandra Delacroix, our art correspondent, had the prospect to speak with Mr. Abel about his artistic journey and his approach to portraying the mundane in a captivating new light.

Alexandra Delacroix: Michael, your work in “Mutt” seems to redefine the perception of the everyday. What inspired you to focus on these frequently enough overlooked elements of life?

Michael Abel: I think we’re bombarded with extraordinary imagery all the time. This constant pressure to create the “extraordinary” in art can overshadow the beauty and intrigue inherent in the ordinary. I’m drawn to the subtle details, the fleeting moments, and the accumulation of small experiences that shape our lives. These are the things we frequently enough overlook in our rush, and I want to draw attention to them, to elevate them to a place of meaning.

Alexandra delacroix: Your stylistic references, particularly to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, are noticeable throughout the exhibition. How do you see these influences shaping your vision?

Michael Abel: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism were revolutionary in their own time, capturing not just the appearance of things but their essence, their ephemeral quality. The swirling brushstrokes, the focus on light and color, these elements resonate deeply with my own artistic intentions. I’m layering these references with contemporary influences, aiming to create a dialog between the past and the present.

Abel’s paintings are not mere depictions of everyday objects; they are meditations on the human experience. In “Hair Burst,” a series of abstract paintings, Abel captures the fleeting beauty of hair, transforming it into a swirling vortex of color and texture. These works are reminiscent of Impressionist depictions of light and movement, yet Abel imbues them with a contemporary edge, using vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes to create a sense of energy and dynamism.

Similarly, in “Burning Bin (Moonlight),” Abel captures a seemingly mundane scene—a burning trash bin illuminated by the moonlight—and elevates it to a moment of ethereal beauty. The interplay of light and shadow, the flickering flames, and the contrasting colors create a captivating visual experience. The artist’s careful attention to detail and his masterful use of color and composition transform the ordinary into something extraordinary.

Abel’s exhibition serves as a powerful reminder that art has the ability to elevate the mundane and to spark our curiosity about the world around us. By embracing the everyday and finding the extraordinary within it, Abel has created a truly captivating body of work that invites viewers to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty that frequently enough goes unnoticed.

Exploring the Mundane: A Look into Michael Abel’s Art

Michael Abel’s recent exhibition, “Mutt,” is a captivating exploration of the ordinary transformed into the extraordinary. Through his distinctive surrealist style, Abel challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the familiar, unearthing hidden stories and meanings within the everyday.

“Surrealism, for me, isn’t about creating fantastical worlds but about exploring the unexpected, the uncanny,” Abel explains. “By juxtaposing ordinary objects in unusual ways, or by imbuing familiar scenes with a sense of unease, I aim to challenge the viewer’s perception and invite them to see the world with fresh eyes.”

Unconventional Portraits and the Search for Identity

Two standout pieces in the exhibition are “Mutt” and “Mutt (Spike)”, large-scale canvases depicting Abel’s own hair.These unconventional portraits delve into themes of identity, vulnerability, and the hidden aspects of self-expression.

“The back of the head is rarely seen, it’s a hidden part of ourselves. It’s a space where we can feel exposed, yet together anonymized,” Abel reveals about his artistic motivation. “by focusing on this frequently overlooked detail,I wanted to explore the paradoxes of the self and our relationship with visibility.”

Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Abel’s artistic journey aims to inspire viewers to appreciate the beauty that often goes unnoticed in the everyday world. “My greatest hope is that the exhibition will inspire viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty found in the ordinary. To look beyond the surface and discover the hidden stories and meanings woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. I believe art has the power to shift our outlook and to remind us of the extraordinary within the mundane,” Abel shares.

Through his captivating paintings, Abel invites us to embark on a journey of introspection and rediscovery, encouraging us to find wonder and meaning in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.

How does Michael Abel’s artistic journey aim too inspire viewers?

Exploring the Mundane: A Look into Michael Abel’s Art

Michael Abel’s recent exhibition, “Mutt,” is a captivating exploration of the ordinary transformed into the extraordinary. Through his distinctive surrealist style, Abel challenges viewers to reconsider their perceptions of the familiar, unearthing hidden stories and meanings within the everyday.

“Surrealism, for me, isn’t about creating fantastical worlds but about exploring the unexpected, the uncanny,” Abel explains. “By juxtaposing ordinary objects in unusual ways,or by imbuing familiar scenes with a sense of unease,I aim to challenge the viewer’s perception and invite them to see the world with fresh eyes.”

Unconventional Portraits and the Search for Identity

Two standout pieces in the exhibition are “Mutt” and “mutt (Spike)”, large-scale canvases depicting Abel’s own hair.These unconventional portraits delve into themes of identity, vulnerability, and the hidden aspects of self-expression.

“The back of the head is rarely seen, its a hidden part of ourselves. it’s a space where we can feel exposed, yet together anonymized,” Abel reveals about his artistic motivation. “by focusing on this frequently overlooked detail,I wanted to explore the paradoxes of the self and our relationship with visibility.”

Finding Beauty in the Mundane

Abel’s artistic journey aims to inspire viewers to appreciate the beauty that often goes unnoticed in the everyday world. “My greatest hope is that the exhibition will inspire viewers to pause and appreciate the beauty found in the ordinary. To look beyond the surface and discover the hidden stories and meanings woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. I believe art has the power to shift our outlook and to remind us of the extraordinary within the mundane,” Abel shares.

Through his captivating paintings, Abel invites us to embark on a journey of introspection and rediscovery, encouraging us to find wonder and meaning in the seemingly mundane aspects of life.

An Interview with Michael Abel by Alexandra Delacroix

Alexandra Delacroix, our art correspondent, had the opportunity to speak with mr. abel about his artistic journey and his approach to portraying the mundane in a captivating new light.

Alexandra Delacroix: Michael, your work in “Mutt” seems to redefine the perception of the everyday. What inspired you to focus on these frequently overlooked elements of life?

Michael Abel: I think we’re bombarded with extraordinary imagery all the time. This constant pressure to create the “extraordinary” in art can overshadow the beauty and intrigue inherent in the ordinary.I’m drawn to the subtle details, the fleeting moments, and the accumulation of small experiences that shape our lives.These are the things we frequently overlook in our rush,and I wont to draw attention to them,to elevate them to a place of meaning.

Alexandra delacroix: Your stylistic references, notably to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, are noticeable throughout the exhibition. How do you see these influences shaping your vision?

Michael Abel: Impressionism and Post-Impressionism were revolutionary in their own time,capturing not just the appearance of things but their essence,their ephemeral quality. The swirling brushstrokes, the focus on light and color, these elements resonate deeply with my own artistic intentions. I’m layering these references with contemporary influences, aiming to create a dialog between the past and the present.

Alexandra Delacroix: The unconventional choice of portraying the back of the head in “Mutt” and “Mutt (Spike)” seems particularly compelling. Can you elaborate on the significance of this focus?

Michael Abel: The back of the head is rarely seen,it’s a hidden part of ourselves. It’s a space where we can feel exposed, yet together anonymized. by focusing on this frequently overlooked detail,I wanted to explore the paradoxes of the self and our relationship with visibility.

alexandra Delacroix: What messages do you hope viewers will take away from “Mutt”?

Michael Abel: I hope viewers recognize the extraordinary within the mundane. I believe art has the power to shift our outlook and make us see the world in new ways. My hope is that “Mutt” inspires reflection, conversation, and a deeper appreciation for the subtleties of everyday life.