Design and Artwork Photography: Debbie Loftus. Exhibition catalogue, 'Huesos Impios'.

HUESOS IMPÍOS

MICHAEL SLUSAKOWICZ

HUESOS IMPÍOS MICHAEL SLUSAKOWICZ THE GALLERY AT GREEN & STONE 28 MARCH TO 9 APRIL 2022

STUDY OF THE MASK AND A FLAME

Thrown into the fire My old skin begins to melt Slowly, Layer by layer My heated flesh is visibly exposed In a moment of desperation I pray for a drop of rain My bones get softer Weaker Breaking Cracking In the flame You levitate above my head Casting spells atop my brow The image so strangely familiar Like the study of the mask and the flame

Michael Slusakowicz is not a typical oil painter, neither is he a typical portrait painter.

At the forefront of his practice are composition and colour. His unusual arrangements, exotic palette and repetition of symbols transcend conventional boundaries. Viewing Slusakowicz’s work is to enter into a realm of mystery and magical realism. The eccentricity he exhibits throughout is heightened by Michael’s extraordinary technical ability.

He delicately balances the real with the surreal, creating a form of painting and portraiture not currently explored by other artists.

The work exhibited in Huesos Impíos (Unholy Bones) is inspired by the narratives of Latin American folklore and tradition. Slusakowicz explores the relationship between movement, ritual and what it means to be human, transporting the viewer through a narrative based on contrasts and juxtapositions. The unusual is paired with the familiar, creating scenes that force the viewer to look more closely.

Slusakowicz connects directly with the emotions and the spirit of his relationships; friends become characters within the paintings and it is upon this structure that he grounds his work and builds his narrative.

Slusakowicz understands the impact that symbols and background stories contribute to capturing the spirit of a person. People are complex and colourful and Slusakowicz portrays this side of humanity in his layered compositions, using his technical prowess to confront the viewer with a panoply of resonating symbolism and human emotions.

Hester Baldwin Managing Director Green & Stone 4

This unbearable smell Burning flesh mixed with tinder and soil The soft wind So gentle in its nature Slowly carries it further away This odd perfume fills my lungs It dopes my senses and makes me numb Sedated, I hardly notice my own movement The dance of life and death begins You levitate above my head Casting spells atop my brow The image so strangely familiar Like the study of the mask and the flame To those gathered around I appear to take the form of an animal And slowly My majestic wings Unravel Multicoloured plumage The flames get higher and higher As they aim for heaven above They gently wrap me with their open arms And I slowly turn into dust You levitate above my head Casting spells atop my brow The image so strangely familiar Like the study of the mask and the flame Michael Slusakowicz 2021

Unholy Bones, 2020 Oil on canvas 101.5 × 101.5 × 4 cm

Drift, 2021 Oil on canvas 41 × 31 × 2 cm

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Luisa, 2020 Oil on canvas 40 × 50.5 × 2 cm

The Dream Catcher, 2021 Oil on canvas 61 × 51 × 2 cm

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Lady Plant 2, 2021 Oil on canvas 61 × 46 × 2 cm 10

Gentle Movement, 2021 Oil on canvas 30.5 × 25.5 × 2 cm

Double Portrait of Clara, 2021 Oil on board 56 × 45.5 cm

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Fire Dance, 2021 Oil on board 30 × 58.5 × 0.5 cm Untitled, 2021 Oil on board 40 × 40 × 0.5 cm

Ecstatic Movements, 2021 Oil on board 33 × 58.5 × 0.5 cm

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Levitation, 2020 Oil on canvas 101 x 76 × 2 cm 16

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Grandmother, 2021 Oil on canvas 60.5 × 76 × 2 cm

The Couple , 2021 Oil on canvas 61 × 51 × 2 cm

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Roots, 2021 Oil on canvas 61 × 51 × 2 cm

Kieran, 2021 Oil on canvas 30.5 × 25.5 × 2 cm

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With special thanks to Green & Stone, to Hester, Mary and Debbie for everything.

To Kieran for being the most wonderful father.

To all my friends and family.

With love Michael

First published in 2022 by Green & Stone www.greenandstone.com ISBN: 978-1-7397613-0-1 Published by Green & Stone, London 2022 Works: Michael Slusakowicz © 2022 Artwork photography : Artshots © 2021 Portrait photograph: supplied by the artist All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing from the publishers orthe artist and the copyright owners.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Designed by Debbie Loftus Typeset in Domaine Text by Klim Type Factory

THE GALLERY AT GREEN & STONE. 251 – 253 FULHAM ROAD, LONDON SW3 6HY +44 (0) 20 7352 0837 thegallery@greenandstone.com