Patterns & Such: Less Portraits, More Patterns

Solo exhibition at Da Vinci Art Alliance

Philadelphia, PA

June 28th - July 23rd 2023

Artist’s Statement:

Since my last solo show at at the Da Vinci Art Alliance in 2019, a lot has happened in our world, and it has affected my art in ways that are subtle and immeasurable. This show demonstrates my continued interest in changing the scale of images and ongoing interpretation of my larger scale acrylic paintings into shrink plastic pieces. In altering these pieces time and time again, I have developed and perfected my own methods of recreation. This exhibit also displays an in-depth exploration of pattern and repetition.

Inspiration:

I’ve been reflecting on my artistic inspirations and realized that a lot of it comes from childhood memories of my father. Although he was not an artist (he was a high school math teacher) he would create 3-D mathematical constructs from salvaged items. His lack of convention and pragmatic approach to sometimes poetic things seemed magical to me. Growing up in Arizona, my family would collect fragments of Native American pottery and my father would re-assemble them, with pieces missing. He turned them into imperfect, sculptural relics. I realize now that part of my need to construct and assemble paintings, frames, and the like is a direct inspiration from him.

Examples of Mike Pavol’s Unconventional Frame Work

Style Trajectory:

In this exhibition you will (hopefully) see the continuum of what I have been doing for the last twenty years, with its roots planted in still lives, landscapes, and portraits in oil. These styles transformed into the giant, multi-panel acrylics I am creating now. In my mind, this is one long painting developing over time, with life and technique informing and adjusting it along the way. To me, this is an evolution that is never really finished, and the lack of completion is what keeps my interest piqued.

Primary audience:

Unless I’m doing a commissioned work, I don’t create with a specific audience in mind. I’d like to think anyone and everyone could appreciate some aspect of what I do.

How long has this series of works been in production?

Most of the work shown has been done in the last five years.

Where do you typically show?

Most recently I’ve had several shows at DVAA, The State Museum Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, PA, and the Gross McCleaf gallery. My work is also in private collections in Philadelphia, New York City, Los Angeles, and Spain.