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C H E V A L F I N E A R T
Front cover: “Zenith of Time” 18”x30” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
CHEVAL FINE ART
c Cheval Fine Art Inc. O Printed by BubbleGumPrint Corp. 37-18 Northern Blvd., 3rd. floor, Long Island City, NY 11101 tel: 718-361-5406
ALL RIGHTS OF REPRODUCTION RESERVED BY MICHAEL CHEVAL AND CHEVAL FINE ART INC.ICHAEL CHEVAL A
AND CHEVAL FINE ART IN
Michael Cheval is the world’s leading contemporary artist, specializing in Absurdist paintings, drawings and portraits. In his definition, absurdity is an inverted side or reality, a reverse side of logic. It does not emerge from the dreams of surrealists, or the work of subconsciousness. It is a game of imagination, where all ties are carefully chosen to construct a literary plot. Any one of Cheval’s paintings is a map of his journey into illusion. His work is often metaphorical and requires a sharp eye to decipher the often hidden allusions. Born in 1966 in Kotelnikovo, a small town of southern Russia, Cheval developed passion for art in his early childhood. When his family moved to Germany in 1980, the West European culture made a great impression on the young artist. In 1986, he moved to Turkmenistan and graduated from Ashgabad school of Fine Art. Absorbing Eastern philosophy and the character of Central Asia, he began working as an independent professional artist, shaping his style and surrealistic direction. His decision to immigrate in 1997 to USA began a new epoch for the artist. He returned to the Western culture that greatly inspired him in his German youth, but now he brought his own experience, his philosophy, and vision. In 1998, Cheval became a member of the prestigious New York’s National Arts Club where he was distinguished with the Exhibition Committee Award in 2000. He is also a member of the Society for Art of Imagination since 2002. In 2006, Michael’s works were accepted by “Feast of Imagination” exposition at H.R. Giger Museum Gallery, Switzerland. In 2008 - he was accepted as a participant in the “Dreamscape 2009” exhibition in Amsterdam and published in “Dreamscape” book among of 50 Worldwide famous surrealist artists. In 2009 - Michael Cheval was chosen as the Best Of Worldwide Oil Artists by the “Best Of Worldwide Artists” Volume I Book Series (Kennedy Publishing, USA) In 2009 - Palm Art Award Jury and Art Domain Gallery (Leipzig) certify that Michael Cheval is the winner of the First Prize of “Palm Art Award”. In 2010 – Michael’s artworks have been published in “Dreamscape 2010” book among of 50 Worldwide famous surrealist artists. In 2010 Michael’s artworks have been published in “Imaginaire” book in Denmark and participated “April’s fool” exhibition organized by “Fantasmus Art”
Cheval published two full-colored art albums— Lullabies in 2004 and Nature of Absurdity in 2007. His work is internationally acclaimed and can often be seen in USA galleries and abroad.
“Comparative Analogy” 36”x30” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Circle Of Time” 24”x20” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Down To Earth” 24”x20” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Porcelain Waltz” 30”x24” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Wind Of Change” 32”x34” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Definitive Letter” 34”x32” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Balance of Disparaties” 20”x24” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Trojan Defense” 24”x30” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Lullaby For The Butterfly King” 18”x34” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Primavera” 30”x24” (Playhouse of Quintessence series) giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Melody of Rain” 30”x24” (Playhouse of Quintessence series) giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Profundity Keeper” 30”x22” (Playhouse of Quintessence series) giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Playhouse of Quintessence” series of paintings embodies Michael Cheval’s philosophical reflections and his attempt to express a certain phenomena via limited means. At the core of this idea lies the principle of theatrical pantomime where the language of gestures is most important. The task was further complicated by the artist’s restriction to use only the face (or the mask) and the hands. Each work expresses simple and clear notions that could be conveyed in one word. However, translated into the language of art, they acquire incredible wealth of undertones and meanings. Colors, gestures, suppleness of lines, cold and warm tones, light and shadow – this is the language of art that relates it to music. This is the universal language, language of the World! The artist began conducting his first experiments over ten years ago. But only now they solidified into a clearly defined concept and a philosophical base that made it possible to unify these paintings into the single “Playhouse of Quintessence” series. The number of works that make up this collection will grow with time.
“Sense of Adolescence” 30”x14” (Playhouse of Quintessence series) giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Delighted By Light” 20”x38” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Sounding Silence” 30”x24” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Flamenco Flame” 30”x14” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Magica Lesson” 40”x30” giclee on canvas, edition of 100
“Absurdity exists in everything that surrounds us. However, one must desire to see it. An attentive spectator does not need to follow my path. Each person has his labyrinth, his experience, and his own Minotaur. I do not offer ready answers; I only invite my audience to participate in co-authorship.� Michael Cheval