Artist Spotlight - David Guez
Biography
David Guez (born 1954, Tunisia) is a self-taught artist based in Jerusalem with an inspiring trajectory in contemporary painting. David Guez’s painting practice is characterized by his unique approach to gestural compositions, which he brings to life using oil on canvas.
Crimson Red, oil on canvas, 100x110 cm, 2022
His artistic trajectory has gained international acclaim, and his painting practice is compared with Art Autre, an American school of ‘art of another kind' also referred to as informal art. Art Autre was a dominant trend of abstract art in the 1940s and 1950s, characterized by an improvisatory approach and highly gestural technique.
Deep Crimson, oil on canvas, 100 x 140 cm, 2022
As Italian critic Paolo Levi states, "Guez has this whole American tradition of informal art behind him. Seventy years later, he still manages to make the poetic unease of abstract imagery float, intriguing us and proving that it is still possible to create a narrative through red, green, white, and blue as if the pictorial writing could perhaps be infinite."
Spiritual Landscape 30, oil on canvas, 100x115 cm, 2021
Guez’s artwork has been presented in solo exhibitions in venues such as D&M Gallery and Rothschild 49 Gallery in Tel Aviv and Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo, Monaco, and in significant group exhibitions such as “PERSONAL STRUCTURES.
Shadow of Hope - Black Orange, Crimson Red, oil on canvas, 150x100 cm, 2022
Reflections,” an official Collateral Event of the Venice Biennale organized by the European Cultural Centre, Palazzo Bembo, Venice, 2022. Currently, Guez takes part in the group exhibition titled “BLUE HORIZONS: An Astral Journey into the Economy of the Future,” on view at the Naval Museum of Imperia, Italy.
Deep, oil on canvas, 200x150 cm, 2023
Artist Statement
In the vast expanse of the digital age, where screens mediate our interactions and realities, I find solace and inspiration in the tangible, the visceral, and the raw. As a painter rooted in the tradition of abstract art, I embark on a journey that transcends pixels and algorithms, delving into the realms of materiality and gesture.
Spiritual Landscape 32 - Deep Green, oil on canvas, 100X110 cm, 2021
My canvases, expansive and immersive, serve as portals to explore the complexities of identity, tradition, simplicity, and expression. Through layers of pigment and texture, I seek to capture the essence of human experience in a world increasingly defined by the intangible. Each stroke, each color, and each mark is a testament to the inherent beauty of imperfection and the power of the human touch.
Arizona, oil on canvas, 200x150 cm, 2022
Drawing upon the rich history of abstract art, I strive to create visual poetry that resonates with the viewer on a profound level, transcending language and culture. My work is a dialogue between the past and the present, a reflection of the timeless pursuit of meaning and connection in an ever-evolving world.
Be Happy - Orange, Yellow, oil on canvas, 200x150 cm, 2023
As an abstract painter, my artistic language and aesthetics blend elements of post-digital abstraction with spontaneity and personal expression. Through my process, which feels akin to Morse code in its rhythmic brushstrokes, I convey my own personality, psychological state, and commentary on the world we live in. Each mark on the canvas serves as a snapshot of a fleeting moment, capturing the immediacy of creation and offering a timeless counterpoint to the increasingly digital landscape.
Spiritual Landscape 48, oil on canvas, 200x150 cm, 2021
By integrating traditional techniques with digital influences, my work invites viewers to explore the intersection of analog and digital, the spontaneous and the deliberate, while inviting contemplation of the universal themes embedded within abstract forms and spirited gestures.
Spiritual Landscape 43, oil on canvas, 100x150 cm, 2021
In embracing the physicality of paint and canvas, I invite the viewer to immerse themselves in the tactile experience of creation, to feel the energy and emotion imbued within each brushstroke. Through my art, I aim to evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and introspection, challenging perceptions and igniting imagination.
Spiritual Landscape 40, oil on canvas, 100x150 cm, 2021
Ultimately, my practice is a celebration of the human spirit, a testament to our capacity to find beauty, truth, and meaning amidst the chaos and complexity of modern existence. As we navigate the shifting landscapes of our digital age, may my paintings serve as beacons of authenticity, inviting us to reconnect with ourselves, our traditions, and the world around us.
Spiritual Landscape 29 - Black Yellow Red, oil on canvas, 100x140 cm, 2021
Tribute 2 - Gold Black on White, oil on canvas, 100x115 cm, 2020
Racy - Gold on White, oil on canvas, 40x145 cm, 2023
