Featured Artist Tarek Montasser

Egyptian artist Tarek Montasser embraces the dramatic power of light in his paintings, create paradigms between light and shadow, object and space. Visit his website to see more of his work.

 

"Karma" Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Karma” Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm

 

There is clairvoyance in painting. “Clairvoyance” translated literally from French means “clarity of seeing.” I paint to see clearly. See what clearly? The visible is self-evident, but beyond it there is the invisible.

 

"The Brethren of Purity" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 150cm x 120cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Brethren of Purity” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 150cm x 120cm

 

“Clairvoyance” has archaic occult connotations. Painting is an ancient tradition preceding language and reason. It still is part of that way of perceiving the cosmos through myth and magic. There is alchemy in painting; transforming dead matter into light and meaning.

 

"Crystal Clear" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 130cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Crystal Clear” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 130cm

 

I am the light seeker. Not the absolute blinding light of the victorious sun at noon, eradicating darkness and denying shade and shadow. Someday, who knows, I might be able to look straight at the sun in all her glory, I am Egyptian after all, but not yet.

 

"The Keeper of the Seal" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 90cm x 150cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Keeper of the Seal” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 90cm x 150cm

 

My light is a shy, dim crepuscular light that casts long substantial shadows. Light, as it sneaks stealthily on darkness, barely pulling being out of nothingness in that instant after “let there be light.”

 

"Challenging Darkness" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 150cmby artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“Challenging Darkness” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 150cm

 

It might be said that I am as much about shadows as I relate deeply to Plato’s cave allegory. We live in a world of shadows and silhouettes, and in painting we can only bring light to our blindingly white starting point by adding darkness. Therefore, “Let there be darkness—darkness within darkness—the source of all light.”

 

"The Garden of Lights" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 130cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Garden of Lights” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 130cm

 

I work in oils and acrylics at the same time. I need the speed, energy, fluidity and directness of acrylics; but I also desire the chromatic subtlety, richness and depth that can only be achieved by oils. These two mediums have obvious implications on my process.

 

"The Red Chandelier" Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 150cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Red Chandelier” Oil and Acrylic on Canvas, 195cm x 150cm

 

I begin all of my work with an impulsive, quick and aggressive outburst in acrylics with larger size brushes. After I’ve created this almost abstract substructure, I then explore, elaborate on and evolve my image through oil paint and oil bars.

 

"The Gambler" Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Gambler” Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm

 

I feel that this process builds a contained tension in the work, a history of making, an archaeology of layers, a resonance and a depth that allows it to survive the first look and to keep revealing new aspects of itself to the viewer over time.

 

"The Hours" Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm by artist Tarek Montasser. See his portfolio by visiting www.ArtsyShark.com

“The Hours” Acrylic on Board, 170cm x 150cm

 

At least that’s what I hope to achieve.

 

Artist Tarek Montasser invites you to follow him on Facebook.

 

Want to stay current on cutting edge business articles from Artsy Shark, plus artist features, and an invitation to the next Call for Artists? Subscribe to our twice-monthly Updates, and get a free e-book on Where to Sell Art Online right now!

YES PLEASE!

Speak Your Mind

*