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PEDRO PARICIO

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Website: http://www.pedroparicio.com

Member type: Artist

If you're an artist, what kind of art do you make?: Painting

I am...: Painter Pedro Paricio was recently described by the prominent art critic Juan Manuel Bonet, former Director of the Institute of Modern Art in Valencia and the Museo Reina Sofia in Madrid, as “...one of the best, and most fresh emerging artists to come out of Spain”. Paricio is beginning to enjoy an international reputation, following exhibitions throughout Spain, Europe and USA since 2006. His paintings are in private collections in Europe and the US.

Perhaps the most definable characteristics of Paricio’s work are his unique use of paint and vibrant colour. Recent themed paintings show a strong sense of playfulness, a fascination with colour and a love of paint. While Paricio’s colours are bright and harmonious, his compositions are sometimes awkward and can evoke a sense of disquiet. His work makes strong references to graphic design, primitive art, and the work of a long list of artists who have inspired him. The influences of all of these artists are plain to see in both his drawings and paintings.

Paricio was born and grew up in the Canary Islands and moved to Barcelona in his twenties, where he has had a studio since 2004. As a child, Paricio was always drawing and says that his parents knew he would be happiest if they gave him pencils and paper to play with. Paricio smiles when he recalls the moment his mother discovered her son’s talent, when she found a “little fresco” he had painted on the underside of the living room table. Paricio studied science at high school and did not initially consider a career as an artist. He chose to study art at the last moment, just days before the university’s registration deadline for the course. Paricio himself does not quite understand what made him change his mind, but he is confident now that painting is the most important thing in his life. In a recent interview in 2010, Paricio said, “... when I am happy, I go to see art. When I am sad, I go to see art. Art gives sense to my life“.

Paricio completed his fine art studies at university in Barcelona in 2006, having previously studied in Tenerife and Salamanca. He takes a serious approach to art history and theory, studying and writing alongside his painting. While at university, he considered a career as a critic or curator, but in the end, decided that painting would be his sole professional pursuit. Paricio says that he has “infinite faith in painting” and that painting provides endless possibilities. He dismisses the thought of using other media or technology in response to current fashions in art.

In ‘Digital Painting’ and ‘After Francis Bacon’, two series of paintings the artist made in 2009, Paricio uses an unusual mix of hard lined, flat geometric and amorphous shapes in primary and jewel colours, alongside swathes of thick, acrylic paint to convey meaning. Works on paper made in 2010 include a sequence of haunting traditional ritual masks which are an interesting departure from other purely abstract coloured drawings and drawings of invented creatures and animals.

The titles and subjects of Paricio’s paintings indicate an intelligent and curious mind with wide-ranging interests and a broad cultural knowledge. In the past, the artist has described his work as ‘Abstract Street/Pop Art’ but now refers to his work as simply ‘painting’. Paricio appropriates diverse cultural references in the titles of his paintings, which link them to a ‘shared cultural history’. His subjects range from contemporary science to Hispanic folklore, to cinema, music, poetry and philosophy.

In an interview for the Pedro Paricio Art Show exhibition catalogue, reviewed by New York based writer and curator Miss Rosen in 2008, Paricio said, “We are caught in a system and live together in a comfortable world where we want easy culture. But I want to think and develop my mind, to free it from its confines. I want to open the secret door.”

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At 11:46 on May 20, 2010, moira said…: Dreaming of the impossible

At 21:14 on April 27, 2009, George Lund said…: Hi Pedro,
Pleased to meet you. My name is George Lund (known as Funkadelic Chicken alta ego) colourist artist and performance artist from Liverpool UK.
joined Artreview to forge friendships, links,contatcs with artists/organisations.
Good to share the experience of art through dialogue and images.
Hope you don't mind my comments. From one colourist to another.
There is an energised aura of vibrant colours in your artwork. That incorporates an organic and cosmic quality within the forms and images. A unique interrelation of arrays of pure vivd colour like a rollercoaster across a multi coloured rainbow. Would be honoured for your views /comments on my artwork. Thank you. Website: www.lundart.co.uk
Keep on with the spirit and energy. Peace, success, happiness and health.
Take care regards George

At 5:56 on March 12, 2009, ART & ARTISTS LA said…: BLUEBIRD ART HOUSE AND ART&ARTISTS LA are pleased to announce the 1st INTERNATIONAL JURIED COMPETITION 2009.

Open to all artists in all fine arts media we seek to recognize outstanding quality and diversity in the arts.

The 2009 IJC is open to all artists worldwide, age 18 and older. All works must be original. Entries in the following medias will be accepted: Painting, Drawing, Mixed media, Printmaking, Watercolor, Ceramics, Sculpture, and Photography.

Entry Deadline March 15th 2009.

AWARD

A solo show next winter 2009 at Bluebird Art House and $1500 to the winner. 1 work in the show for each one of the 3 runner up.

To receive the Submission Form and bases

E-MAIL: BBIRDINTCOMP@YAHOO.COM

www.bluebirdarthouse.com