Eduardo
Guelfenbein
Matteo
Sbaragli
Preface
In a fusion of technique and styles, Opera Gallery Dubai presents an exhibition that will
appeal to most, delivering the first ever face to face between abstract painter Guelfenbein
and figurative portrait artist Sbaragli.
Loyal to the abstract genre, Eduardo Guelfenbein displays an overflowing passion with
his fluid lines and swirls filled with explosive energy. In doing so, he conveys the deepest
parts of one’s nocturnal dreams and how they influence us as an engine that drives our
natural instincts. It is not rare for us to observe viewers and visitors lose themselves inside
the elaborate shapes and spins that he depicts through the thickness of paint. Guelfenbein,
whose style has much evolved over the years, admits that his soul finds instant expression in
the latest “liquid abstractions” paintings.
Facing him is Matteo Sbaragli, born in 1980, who paints almost exclusively large-scale
portraits. The latest years of his young career have seen him paint on aluminium and other
metals, which only brings added depth to the expressiveness of his portraits. Sbaragli says
that his artistic research is all about finding the balance between reality and imaginary: “it’s
not the subject which has to have strength in itself, but the art of painting”. Sbaragli also
states that he paints “heads not portraits”; and his complex work on flesh and surface makes
this statement a certainty.
Placing Guelfenbein and Sbaragli face to face allows the encounter of abstraction and
figuration. And by listening to what each artist has to say about their inspiration and artistic
research, it becomes clear that the association is a collaboration and not an opposition of
two different genres: Sbaragli depicts the flesh, the head, the surface of the human; while
Guelfenbein represents the dreams and deep thoughts within the individual.
We are proud to give our clients and visitors an opportunity to discover the works of two
very talented artists; and we are pleased that the association of these artists takes us all a step
deeper into the understanding of how artistic genres challenge and complete each other.
Gilles Dyan
Founder and Chairman
Opera Gallery Group
Mariam Thani Hodge
General Manager
Opera Gallery Dubai
Eduardo Guelfenbein
My soul has instant expression in my latest liquid abstractions.
The creative emotional satisfaction brought by the liquid technique, is
always a new experience, much is a process of discovery, whilst carving
through thick textured acrylic, and letting myself flow with music, the
joys of the inner child emerge whilst brushed lines travel across the
canvas, morphologically binding colours.
Technically I have evolved over the years, but my aim today is to create
interesting acrylic texture, where light refracts strongly, with contrasting
carved gestual strokes, and mostly, a full colour palette. Potentially the
liquid transformations and twisting patterns are infinite, much like a
cosmic creation, generating different feelings and never-ending forms.
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Whilst as a figurative painter, I was painting abstractions within the
figure, today freed from the silhouettes, the liquid abstractions create in
me the same emotional feelings of Love, Beauty, Truth and Goodness,
infinite emotions that have no limit, like an abstract painting open to the
imagination.
Delice, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
162 x 130 cm - 63.8 x 51.2 in.
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Wishful, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
80 x 60 cm - 31.5 x 23.6 in.
Sudden, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
81 x 100 cm - 31.9 x 39.4 in.
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Land, 2010
Acrylic on canvas
100 x 81 cm - 39.4 x 31.9 in.
Sol, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
D: 160 cm - 63 in.
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Andante, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
130 x 162 cm - 51.2 x 63.8 in.
Foresight, 2010
Acrylic on canvas
162 x 130 cm - 63.8 x 51.2 in.
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Urbano, 2010
Acrylic on canvas
162 x 130 cm - 63.8 x 51.2 in.
Scent, 2009
Acrylic on canvas
73 x 60 cm - 28.7 x 23.6 in.
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Depth, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
100 x 81 cm - 39.4 x 31.9 in.
Probable, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
114 x 146 cm - 44.9 x 57.5 in.
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Mankind, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
89 x 116 cm - 35 x 45.7 in.
Luminous, 2011
Acrylic on canvas
146 x 114 cm - 57.5 x 44.9 in.
Biography
Eduardo Guelfenbein
Born in Santiago, Chile, in 1953
Lives and works in Paris, France
Education
Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, Milan, Italy
Selected solo exhibitions
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2008............. Liquid Portraits, Galerie Sit Down, Paris, France
2005.............. Retrospective, University of Brest, Brest, France
2004............. Pavillon de la Faisanderie, Chantilly, France
Portraits d’Attitudes, Espace Hérold 07, Paris, France
2003.............. Parsons School of Design, Paris, France
2002.............. Col di Lana, Milan, Italy
2000............. French Cultural Centre, Milan, Italy
1998.............. Collages, Instituto Cultural de Israel, Santiago, Chile
1997 ............. Revelación, Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Santiago, Chile
1994.............. Galleria Kennedy, Santiago, Chile
1991 ............. Galerie Michel Reymondin, Geneva, Switzerland
1990.............. Australian Embassy, Paris, France
1987 ............. Galerie Suisse de Paris, Paris, France
1986.............. Zeus-Trabia Gallery, New York, USA
1981 ............. Hogarth Galleries, Sydney, Australia
1976 ............. Galleria Boccioni, Milan, Italy
Selected group exhibitions
2011 ............. Viviane Cisinski & Eduardo Guelfenbein, Opera Gallery, Singapore
2010.............. Thierry Bisch, Mauro Corda & Eduardo Guelfenbein, Opera Gallery, Singapore
Crazy Colours, Opera Gallery, Paris, France
In the Mood for Art, Opera Gallery, Hong Kong
2009............. Johanne Corno & Eduardo Guelfenbein, Opera Gallery, London, UK
2004............. The Coaster Project, Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France
2000............. Artisti Cileni, Instituto Latinoamericano, Rome, Italy
1996.............. Galerie du Musée, Geneva, Switzerland
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1992 ............. Paris Biennial, Palais Royal, Paris, France
1989.............. French Revolution, Australian Embassy, Paris, France
1980.............. Street Art, New York, USA
1977 ............. Venice Biennial, Parasit Art, Venice, Italy
1975 ............. Galleria Fiori Chiari, Milan, Italy
Others
2006............. Artvideo ‘The pArt’ 7 minutes (eco-social animation)
2001.............. DVD ‘My painted life’
1999.............. Artvideo ‘Inner Life’
Matteo Sbaragli
Although my paintings depict faces almost exclusively, my intent is
to go beyond the portrait, transcending the classic portrait format.
I believe it is more appropriate to refer to them as heads rather than
faces. In fact, this definition, more clearly represents their value as a
vessel. Furthermore, describing the work as a ‘head’ connotes more of a
three-dimensional visual, rather than simply a surface. As simply a face,
or a portrait, there is a limit to what can be represented. The ‘head’
allows for an entire interpretation, interconnected with its external
environment. Without the three-dimensional references, the portrait
only allows one to construe a limited aspect of the face.
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My fascination and torment of the task, in this case, is the inability to
understand the corresponding interpretation that the spectator, the
viewer, attributes directly to the painting. Clearly my attempt is to
convey, as much as possible, my point of view on the image I create
through painting, but I am aware of the narrative limit in a single
painting: it would be like trying to fit an entire movie into a single frame.
For this reason, I have created series of ten to fifteen paintings which
are not exactly alike but have the same intent.
The history of art and painting has been a slow process. Especially,
when one goes into the specific and individual cases, it takes time for
great changes to transpire. Sometimes those changes are so minute,
they are insignificant to the external eye; therefore you have to dedicate
yourself entirely to it.
Portrait of porcelain no. 4, 2010
Oil on brass
50 x 44 cm - 19.7 x 17.3 in.
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Keep on sleeping, I will wake you up when it is the right time no. 4, 2012
Oil on aluminium
220 x 170 cm - 86.6 x 66.9 in.
Keep on sleeping, I will wake you up when it is the right time no. 6, 2012
Oil on aluminium on wood
66 x 49 cm - 26 x 19.3 in.
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How wavering are these praying hands, 2010
Oil on plexiglas
130 x 100 cm - 51.2 x 39.4 in.
Burns more quickly than a straw no. 2, 2009
Oil on aluminium
180 x 150 cm - 70.9 x 59.1 in.
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Portrait of any woman saint after having cried no. 3, 2010
Oil on aluminium
220 x 160 cm - 86.6 x 63 in.
Onsen, 2009
Oil on wood
90 x 80 cm - 35.4 x 31.5 in.
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Where are you thinking to go? 2010
Oil on plexiglas
50 x 70 cm - 19.7 x 27.6 in.
Now it is my turn to live under your shadow, 2010
Oil on aluminium
180 x 150 cm - 70.9 x 59.1 in.
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Keep on sleeping, I will wake you up when it is the right time no. 8, 2012
Oil on aluminium
66 x 49 cm - 26 x 19.3 in.
Keep on sleeping, I will wake you up when it is the right time no. 5, 2012
Oil on aluminium on wood
180 x 150 cm - 70.9 x 59.1 in.
Biography
Matteo Sbaragli
Born in Forlimpopoli, Italy, in 1980
Lives and works in Forlì, Italy
Education
Fine Arts Academy, Bologna, Italy
Selected solo exhibitions
2004............. Matteo Sbaragli, Graffio Gallery, Bologna, Italy
2003.............. Matteo Sbaragli, D.I.D Club, Rimini, Italy
Selected group exhibitions
2010.............. Yim Tae Kyu and Matteo Sbaragli, Opera Gallery, London, UK
2009............. La Materia del Segno, Grafique Art Gallery, Bologna, Italy
2008............. Roncaglia Biennale d’Arte, XXX Edizione, Modena, Italy
Arte Fiera, Bologna, Italy
2007.............. Artverona, Modern and Contemporary Art Fair, Verona, Italy
2006............. Contemporanea Art Fair, Forlì, Italy
Nel Cibo, Castrocaro Terme, Forlì, Italy
Transiti Orizzontali, Santa Sofia, Forlì, Italy
Racconti della Sedia, Castello Agolanti, Rimini, Italy
2005.............. Interazioni, Galleria Baricell’Arte, Baricello, Italy
Gemine: Muse - Young Artists in European Museums, Oratorio San Sebastiano, Forlì, Italy
Premio Giorgio Morandi, Giorgio Morandi Museum, Bologna, Italy
Dovadola e i Giovani Forlivesi, Dovadola, Forlì, Italy
River, Palazzo Albertini, Forlì, Italy
2004.............. ARTE, Padiglione dei Congressi, Castrocaro Terme, Forlì, Italy
Giovani Proposte, San Rocco Gallery, Cento, Ferrara, Italy
River, Palazzo Albertini, Forlì, Italy
Premio Felice Castrati, Pavarolo, Torino, Italy
2003.............. Vernice, Art Fair, Forlì, Italy
Anteprima G.A.M, Fine Arts Academy, Bologna, Italy
Tecnomorfismi, Baraccano Museum, Bologna, Italy
2002.............. Anteprima G.A.M, Fine Arts Academy, Bologna, Italy
2001.............. Sguardi Anomali, Russi, Ravenna, Italy
Allucinazione Perversa, Diagonal Club, Forlì, Italy
2000............. Paradisi Artificiali, Rocca di Ravaldino, Forlì, Italy
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Portrait of any woman saint after having cried no. 1, 2010
Oil on aluminium
220 x 160 cm - 86.6 x 63 in.
Special projects with Mandra Collective Group
2012 ............. Versus - I dubbi dell’occidente, Box Shock - Self Storage, Forlì, Italy
Il mio curatore è il mio dottore, Ipercorpo Festival, Ex Warehouse ATR, Forlì, Italy
2011 ............. Quanto la sera, Ipercorpo Festival, Ex Warehouse ATR, Forlì, Italy
2010.............. Quando la neve diventa latte, Ipercorpo Festival, Magazzini Interstock, Forlì, Italy
Itigno Male, Contemporanea Art Fair, Forlì, Italy
2009............. Sonni Tranquilli, Human Rights Festival, San Domenico Museum, Forlì, Italy
Inmenteniente, Small Festival of Contemporary Art, Fabbrica delle Candele, Forlì, Italy
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PO Box 506737 - Dubai
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