Tag Archives: Dark Surrealism

Oil Painter Toru Kamei’s Recent ‘Beautiful Nightmares’

by Andy SmithPosted on

Tokyo-born painter Toru Kamei is known for painting what he calls “beautiful nightmares,” arresting oil scenes that balance nature and morbidity. He was last featured on HiFructose.com here, and since that piece, the artist has a breakthrough in the fashion world. The artist recently collaborated with Dior Homme on an exclusive collection, implementing his work into both accessories and ensembles. Belgian fashion designer Kris Van Assche reportedly came across the artist’s work when researching floral motifs.

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Emil Melmoth’s Morbid, Sculpted Figures

by Andy SmithPosted on

Mexican artist Emil Melmoth crafts bleak, yet absorbing sculptures that combine gothic and religious themes. Or as the artist puts it himself, he’s “inspired on the macabre, death culture, freakshow, medical anatomica, catholicism, deformities.” The artist’s works are currently part of the show “The Wanderer’s Dissection” at Last Rites Gallery in New York, lasting through Sept. 9.

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The Strange, Surreal Worlds of Michael Hutter

by Andy SmithPosted on


The oil paintings of Michael Hutter offer worlds that contain elements of fantasy, science, and something even further beyond reality. The German artist has been giving glimpses of these worlds for the past few decades, toying with familiar elements and narratives.

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Agostino Arrivabene uses Renaissance Painting Techniques to Create Mystical, Morphing Figures

by Roxanne GoldbergPosted on

Italian artist Agostino Arrivabene uses antique painting techniques to create a foundation from which metamorphic figures emerge in moments of creation. The time-consuming labor of grinding pigments and layering paints is evident in the complex, heavily textural works. New worlds hide beneath and within cracks and crinkles as human-like figures manifest above ground and often out of water.

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Opening Night: Soey Milk and Joey Remmers at CHG Circa

by CaroPosted on

Artists Soey Milk and Joey Remmers were on hand to celebrate their side by side openings at CHG Circa on Saturday. Newly graduated from Pasadena Art Center, Soey Milk was in especially high spirits- her paintings are the culmination of an “unhurried journey” to becoming a fulltime artist. Her solo exhibition “Sinavro” (previewed here) embodies focus and uncertainty that any budding artist might experience. Milk’s brush tells us her story, as rocky as her impressionistic strokes which meet points of detail. Her women appear strong and confident in their boldy colored robes, decorated with traditional Korean motifs. Underneath, hints of nudity add an element of carefreeness and mystery that tempt the viewer.

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On View: “Pardon My French” Group Show at Marcas Contemporary Art

by CaroPosted on

Marcas Contemporary Art gallery in Santa Ana, CA is currently showing conceptual new pieces from their growing roster of fine artists. “Pardon My French”, curated by local artist Tomi Monstre, is designed to create a single narrative through a variety of styles, which incorporate painting, photography, sculpture, and paper-cut works. This includes dreamy contributions shown below by sculptor Gosia, Christine Wu, Stephanie Inagaki, Korin Faught, Tara McPherson, Polly Pardo, Danni Shinya Luo, and others. They are donating a portion of their sales to the organization Inspire Artistic Minds, which provides scholarships and education to advance the arts in the areas of taste, sight and sound, with a focus on the food industry.

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