Michelle Hold
‘Warriors of Light’
Gallerist's Note 'I welcome you to this exhibition catalogue with the view of introducing you to an artist whose growth and development I have been witnessing in the past year in a professional capacity as her art coach and mentor as well as a personal capacity as somebody who's managed to understand the plight and ambition of this artist beyond the confines of the art world and this art industry. Michelle Hold is one of her kind. Her understanding of colour, its potential and power, and its application is incredibly impressive. There are many self-claimed 'colourists' whose knowledge and understanding of their own processes is very average, if not poor. Michelle has taken that knowledge and understanding to the connoisseurship level and that is why I believe what she does have a huge potential not only in London and Italy, but worldwide; not only inside the corporate world, but hospitals, hotels and institutions where one lives and/or works. Michelle is also a very spiritual soul without being hippy about it. She understands the importance of doing the right thing; she believes in conscious versus subconscious; she is kind and gracious yet incredibly ambitious and forward thinking... In my view she has what it takes to achieve a true legacy and become successful in her chosen career. And for me some of her most important qualities are professionalism, kindness and gratitude. In today's day and age, you don't need to be harsh, unscrupulous and shrew to become successful. You can win people's hearts and minds in a kind manner. And those are all the reasons why I believe in Michelle Hold and choose to support her, and represent her and her art on the global stage. Enjoy the artworks we've prepared for you here and the ones Michelle Hold spent the last 6 months creating and enjoy the quotes by Paulo Coelho who has been an early inspiration to me personally, and helped me understand life and spirituality in a very simple and non pompous way. Samir Ceric, Art Coach Founder & CEO of Debut Contemporary London, April 2015
Curator's Note Living Up to the Essentials of Light� by Barry Martin In a world of fast, expanding technological know-how, and an expanding number of world people who know not who they are, it is invigorating and reassuring to meet people whose firm beliefs are put into practice, to benefit, enliven, and make better, not just themselves, but the lives of others. "For those who strive to meet their destiny and want to ascend to a higher level of being", Paulo Coelho. Such a person is Michelle Hold, who as an artist has made her mark as abstract painter, and carved out an identity for herself. She shamelessly makes vibrant, dynamic, polychromatic, colourful, resourceful, meaningful, strong, sometimes large- sized paintings that invigorate, excite and inspire. She panders neither to taste, (except of course her own), nor current fads, or the kind of eye-catching, voguish, detritus that currently passes as art, and that is poured out by the ton in every arts quarter of the world! "Warriors of Light never accept what is unacceptable", Paulo Coelho. She is very serious in her quest as painter, and deserve serious attention. In the profession of art it is always a delight, although not as common as it should be, to see artworks that are composed with understanding, skill and wit, of their subject, to convince and exhilarate the viewer. "Nothing can substitute experience", Paolo Coelho. Michelle is not only accomplished in this, but rise above technicalities, to deliver truly inspired, glorious paintings. In this short introduction I must mention the major influence that the writings of Paolo Coelho, the Brazilian writer, have played in influencing this artist' work, not least in the beauty of his vision, and codes of behaviour couched in poetical advice. She uses the power of light as a major force emanating from the canvas surface, and light in that sense becomes a metaphor for the force of life itself. This isn't to suggest that there is any preaching or pedantry on show, far from it, her work is successful in its own right. In a world where powerful forces are hell-bent in plunging us all into confusion, darkness and danger, writers with statements such as Coelho's in his, 'Manual of the Warriors of Light', 1997, are conductors, and essential in maintaining the sense of a local and world equilibrium. Michelle's person, and through her works have something of the crusade and revelation that Coelho's writings inspire in us. One looks forward with great interest to the forthcoming exhibition.
“Lightbox”, 2015, Mixed media, 80 x 80cm, £1750
“Because the Warrior of light is sure that his thoughts can change his life, his life begins to change.” Paul Coelho
Michelle Hold - www.michellehold.com “I have learned that there is no light without darkness, they need each other to exist.” Fuel your soul, regenerate through color and energy Michelle's new series of paintings for the exhibition “Warriors of Light “bring your insight into new a world where spirituality meets science inspired by the ultimate research of Gregg Braden. Every painting is accompanied by a sentence of bestselling author Paulo Coelho’s book “Manual of the Warriors of Light” Color is Michelle’s passion. Having worked with important designers in the fashion business and having created new materials as a textile designer for them, Michelle has trained her eye and sensibility to slight changes in color tone. Her color palette and compositions reveal an exquisite sensitivity to light and space. Furthermore, she is aware of the fact that color is able heal your body and soul. Michelle: “Color plays a vitally important role in our life because color is light, and we all know what a difference a sunny day makes to our well-being. Working in the fashion industry has sensitized and raised my awareness of color and enables me to take the viewer into a world of harmony that will bring well-being into homes and offices." Living in different cultures has made me aware that color operates in every culture as a symbol, a metaphor, and as part of an aesthetic system. I want to inspire, to celebrate life, aiming to expand our awareness of color and by doing so, lift our lives by pleasing the eye and soul.’’ Michelle Hold was born in Munich and grew up in Innsbruck, Austria where she began studying architecture. Then, she amplified her growth in the artistic field and fabric design in various courses in Paris, New York, Hong Kong, Munich and London. After pursuing successfully an international modelling career and a restaurant business in Hong Kong, Michelle is finally following her lifetime passion for art. She has shown in Italy and internationally (New York, Shanghai, Chengdou, Nantung, Paris, London, Berlin, Lissabon, Athens, Köln, Innsbruck), won prestigious awards, she was chosen by Saatchi Art for “A Spotlight on Italy”, and just recently selected for ‘Abstraction” by Rebecca Wilson, and she won 1st, 3rd and 4th 6th Showcase on ARTSLANT in 2014 and 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 7th Showcase in 2013. She is presented in the catalog “La via Italiana all informale” and “FERRARA ART FESTIVAL” which were both edited by Mondadori. Just recently she has been involved in the project “Human Suffering" curated by Barry Martin, and “When boys become men” supporting the charity “Harrison’s fund”.
"The Power of Choice", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3000
“The Warrior of Light is someone who has learned to deal with the challenges of the moment.” Paulo Coelho
"Time will Show", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3000
“A Warrior of the Light is never in a hurry. Time works in his favor.” Paulo Coelho
“ Like a Rock” 2015 120 x 100cm acrylics,pigments,gold foil on.canvas .£ 2500 “The Warrior of Light sometimes behaves like a rock .“ Paulo Coelho
“Like “ 2015 120 x 100cm mixed media on canvas £ 2500
"Like a Rock", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500
“The Warrior of Light sometimes behaves like a rock.” Paulo Coelho
"Like Water", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500
“The Warrior of Light sometimes behaves like water.” Paulo Coelho
"Light of Memory", 2014, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 100 x 100cm, £ 2000
“One cannot judge the beauty of a path merely by looking at its entrance.” Paulo Coelho
"Embrace the Opportunity", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 150 x 150cm, £ 5000
“Pain is the Warrior of the Light’s strength.” Paulo Coelho
Michelle: "This painting is very special to me, because I made it to overcome my pain when three of my works for 'Warrior of Light' were destroyed on shipping them to London, thinking about this quote and concentrating on healing. So the power of white is a healing power for me, the red stands for all the compassion other artists showed in my confront."
"Free as the Clouds", 2015, Mixed media on canvas, 80 x 80cm, £ 1500
“The Warrior of Light’s soul is as free as the clouds in the sky, but he is committed to his dream.” Paulo Coelho
"Before your Eyes", 2015, Mixed media on canvas, 80 x 80cm, £ 1750
“A Warrior of Light is always aware of what is worth fighting for.” Paulo Coelho
"Conspire", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500 "Conspire", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500
“The Warrior of Light knows that the universe is conspiring in his favour.” Paulo Coelho
"Horizon of your Dreams", 2015, Mixed media on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500
“The Warrior of Light cannot lower his head – otherwise he loses sight of the horizon of his dreams.” Paulo Coelho
"Transparency", 2014, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 100 x 100cm, £ 2000
“A man has only his soul to be won or lost; apart from his life, he has nothing.” Paulo Coelho
"Right Now", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3000
“The Warrior of Light recognizes the Path.” Paulo Cuelho
"Another Time", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3000
“If the Warrior of Light waits for the ideal moment, he will never set off; he requires a touch of madness to take the next step.” Paulo Coelho
"Love is a Powerful Word", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 150 x 150cm, £ 5000
“Because he is certain that he will find love, love appears.” Paulo Coelho
"Silent Nature", 2015, Mixed media on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2800
“The Warrior of Light has learned that silence means the absolute balance of the body, spirit and soul.” Paulo Coelho
"Inner Light", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 150 x 100cm, £ 3000
“Just as your hand has the power to hide the sun, mediocrity has the power to hide your inner light.” Paulo Coelho
"Thoughts", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 150 x 100cm, £ 3000
“The warrior of light concentrates on the small miracles of daily life. He is capable of seeing what is beautiful because he carries beauty within himself.” Paulo Coelho
"Dancing in the Light", 2015, Acrylics on canvas, 150 x 100cm, £ 3000
“The Warrior of Light is a believer.” Paulo Coelho
"Show me the Way", 2014, Mixed media on canvas, 150 x 100cm, £ 3000
“The Warrior of Light never allows himself to be discouraged.” Paulo Coelho
"Light my Fire", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 200cm, £ 5000
“The Warrior of light is not afraid to weep over ancient sorrows or to feel joy at new discoveries.” Paulo Coelho
"Keep the Secret", 2013, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 110 x 190cm, £ 5000
“Warriors of light never accept what is unacceptable.” Paulo Coelho
"Share the Dream", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3200
“A Warrior of Light shares with others what he knows of the Path.” Paulo Coelho
"Travelling is Sacred", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 150 x 150cm, £ 5000
“The Warrior of Light knows that traveling is sacred.” Paulo Coelho
"Challenge", 2015, Acrylics and pigments on canvas, 120 x 120cm, £ 3200
“The Warrior of Light only risks his heart for something worthwhile.” Paulo Coelho
"Courage", 2015, Mixed media on canvas, 150 x 100cm, £ 3000
“The warrior of Light knows that not everyone has the courage to face up to his own dreams.” Paulo Coelho
"Change", 2014, Acrylics on canvas, 120 x 100cm, £ 2500
“A warrior does not spend his days trying to play the role that others have chosen for him.” Paulo Coelho
for press & sales enquieries Samir Ceric samir@debutcontemporary.com Debut Contemporary 82 Westbourne Grove London W2 5RT 020 7221 1651
www.michellehold.com