27 July 2008

M. Mararian's Inky Dreadfuls



Michael Mararian
possesses a poetic propensity for taking traditionally cheerful images and concepts and turning them into frightening, yet humorous, tableaus. Focusing on children as the last bastion of innocence, Mararian draws on a diverse range of influences to deliver the world of the fondest visions of childhood’s naiveté darkly rearranged to uncover lost innocence and the fear of our modern times. Though often shroud in the macabre, Michaels' ink paintings are also suffused with a sense of mischievous, almost self-deprecating humor. What can on one level be construed as melancholy and cruel, can alternately be viewed as amusing, even charming. He enjoys letting his viewers decide.

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