Mikael Takacs
figurative abstraction
Mikael Takacs b. 1988 is a marbler based in Stockholm, Sweden. He uses pipettes to distribute acrylic paint across the canvas to create his subjects, which he then distorts by dragging the paint around using various tools, such as sticks and combs. He combines the classic abstract expression of marbling with concrete figures. This results in intricate razorsharp patterns swirling across the canvas as you look at it up close, which then takes the form of a portrait as you take a few steps back.
experimental style
Marbling has been around for hundreds of years, but in spite of that, his acrylic paintings are often mistaken for digital art. He first uses droppers to pour paint onto the canvas, which has to be completely horizontal, otherwise the paint would run off the canvas. When the paint is distributed across the canvas, he begins distorting the portrait by dragging the paint around using various tools, like sticks and combs. This results in intricate patterns that form his subjects, a process that makes them anonymous.
anonymous encounters
Even though the patterns in themselves are very sharp they can make the figure look blurry or fuzzy, which can have a somewhat anonymyzing effect. This can make it both easier and harder to connect with them. It’s harder in the sense that you can’t really see who it is, or maybe even what it is. It may be easier to connect with them for basically the same reason, as you can project so much of your own thoughts onto someone you can just barely see. The vivid and abstract is in contrast to the vague and figurative.
"Urban Dawn II", Factory Lofts
Nov 25, 2019
"Delusional", LeVine
Apr 25, 2008
"Trumpomania", The Times
Jun 15, 2016
"Below the surface", Helford
Aug 19, 2006
"Auksjonsutstilling", Ramfjord
Oct 20, 2012
2020/06 “Quarantine Collection”, Banditto Art and Dynamisk, Digital.
2020/04 "Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2020/01 "Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2019/11 “Threesome”, 19Karen Contemporary Artspace, Gold Coast, Australia.
2019/06 “POP EYE No2”, Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg.
2019/06 “Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2019/04 “We’re still here”, Heliumcowboy Artspace, Hamburg.
2019/01 "Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2018/12 "5th Art Collector Starter Kit", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2018/08 "20 ars jubileumsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2018/08 "Delusional", Jonathan LeVine Projects, Jersey City.
2018/05 "20x20x20", Vertical Gallery, Chicago.
2018/03 "Hello My Dear", Heliumcowboy Artspace, Hamburg.
2018/03 "GW remix III" Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg.
2018/02 "Visuel & Venner", Kattesundet 10, Copenhagen.
2018/02 "First" Heliumcowboy Artspace, Hamburg.
2018/01 "Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2017/12 "Vintersalong", Galleri Backlund, Gothenburg.
2017/11 "Juleutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2017/09 25th anniversary show "Cirkus Wolfsen", Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg.
2017/09 "AEA 2017 Showcase", Arch Enemy Arts, Philadelphia.
2017/07 "15th Anniversary exhibition", Heliumcowboy Artspace, Hamburg.
2017/06 "Auksjonsutstilling", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2017/04 "4th Art Collector Starter Kit", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2017/03 "Trumpomania", Salomon Arts Gallery, New York.
2017/01 "Sensory Overload", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2016/09 "Urban Dawn II", Factory Lofts, Beirut.
2016/08 "MUD", Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg.
2016/08 "18th Anniversary show", Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2016/08 "10th Anniversary show", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2016/06 Auksjonsutstilling, Galleri Ramfjord, Oslo.
2016/03 "4th Annual 12X12 Group Show", Gauntlet Gallery, San Francisco.
2016/02 "Below the surface", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2016/01 "Asymmetrical Diptych Party", Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles.
2015/12 "Puls'16", Galerie Wolfsen, Aalborg.
2013/12 “Gruppenausstellung”, Strychnin Gallery, Berlin
