PICASSO’S WORK OF ART FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF UNATTAINABLE, ONLY TO BE IN MUSEUMS, AUCTIONED AT INNUMERABLE AMOUNTS AND OWNED BY JUST THE VERY PRIVILEGED FEW. BUT THIS WAS UNTIL NOW.
London based Argentinean artist Ricardo Cinalli returns to the city with a tongue in cheek solo exhibition at jaggedart. In “A Ravishing Muse – An Irreverent Homage to Picasso”, Ricardo has indulged a life-long desire to pay tribute to Picasso. ‘Copies” of a series of “Têtes de Femmes” is exhibited in the show, all renowned and reproduced many times. A distracted visitor may wonder how can a collection of such masterpieces be reunited under one roof, especially in a small Marylebone gallery. It is utopia. The portraits, the style, even the carefully replicated frames made in collaboration with architect Suresh Singh are almost alike. However the sizes differ and in some, Cinalli’s own imprint is present. Unintentionally, the show coincides with “Picasso Portraits” at the National Portrait Gallery.
Notions of forgery, reproduction, appropriation, branding and reverence are evoked in this exhibition. Back in 1987, Cinalli took part in “Viva Picasso” at Mario Flecha Gallery, with a homage to the artist that was then published in Time Out.
An internationally renowned artist in his own right, at ease in drawing, painting, installations and large-scale murals including Alexandra Palace, BP and Vintners Place, London and the Duomo in Terni, Italy, Cinalli amuses himself with these works. “It is like a Spring clean, taking a step back and just painting these admired works for my own enjoyment, with no other aim than to amuse myself and create a utopia, with all these recognisable portraits and beautiful women surrounding me in my own studio”. Now, the collections have been ravished and Cinalli offers the opportunity to access and acquire almost the impossible.
With these works, Cinalli succeeds in delighting and captivating the viewer. As the term suggests, he also takes by force his muse, Picasso, and ravishes and is ravished by his femmes, seizing them and thus making his own, iconic masterpieces of the Twentieth Century.
Ricardo Cinalli - A Ravishing Muse - An Irreverent Homage to Picasso until 5 November 2016 at Jaggedart Gallery.
About the gallery
Situated off Marylebone High Street in central London Jaggedart is known for its unique and very definite style. Since its inception ten years ago the gallery has become renowned for showcasing beautiful, quirky yet sophisticated works of art.
The gallery promotes up and coming artists through a varied programme of exhibitions which include painting, photography, works on paper and 3 dimensional pieces. Our programme varies between themed shows and solo exhibitions. Artists are invited to use the space in a dynamic way, creating site specific installations in the gallery and large shop frontage.
28 A Devonshire Street (off Marylebone High Street) London W1G 6PS
Wednesday - Friday: 11 - 6 Saturday: 11 - 2 Other times by appointment. Email, Twitter