De Gregorio: Seduction and Manipulation

British artist Héctor de Gregorio, using his photography as a canvas, creates provocative, seductive, and often symbolic imagery. Although each piece may reflect over a hundred hours of preparation, its intent is to indeed evoke immediate and emotional reaction, and perhaps further discourse. While his work is driven by photograph manipulation, such efforts are simply one step in his complex and detailed artistic process of augmentation.

Often in his studio against a blank wall, he photographs his models, most often friends, dressed in elaborate costumes he both designs and fabricates. He layers and pieces together the photographs and adds backdrops, props, and text. The images are, then, printed, on either paper or canvas, and overlaid with oils, waxes, gold leaf, and varnish.

De Gregorio is a Fine Arts graduate of Central Saint Martin's; and received his MFA from London's Royal College of Art. His work is regularly exhibited at the Nunnery and the Gallery in Richmond Street, both in London; and Rise Berlin.

While de Gregorio may occasionally overstep his impact with theatrics or titillation, his images are indeed fraught with emotion, authenticity, and a certain freshness. His nudes seems to maintain a welcome reserve. And, of course, he seems bold enough to tackle the saints. Although Sr Mary Patrick might have had her doubts, his "intrepidation" alone is fodder for my curiosity. Marklewood's outdoor pride often gathers at the moss-covered image of Saint Francis of Assisi who, among many contribution, founded the Sisters of Penance. My parochial experience was with the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Mercy. All relationships were thus and needlessly strained. And like our dear St Francis, I have found refuge, consolation, and serenity in the wilderness, which I fondly note as the "hinterlands".

10 July 2011

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The sandbox is always open, my friends, for those that want to share eclectic musings, surrealist images, and aural delights.
I detect the melody of the written word and can visualize the beat in the song. That's perhaps why I think in ringtones and post in sound-bites.
But, most of all, I celebrate the moments and the small splendors that enrich our soul.
The sandbox here at Marklewood is flanked in the corners by large bronze urns of yellow peonies & azure-blue lobelia. Behind it is a meandering creek lined with ancient willows.
And if we run scarce of provisions, there is always the bait shop down the dirt road.

My spirit navigates freely from that of Pied Piper to bookworm to Lord Fauntleroy to that of a Bohemian crusader. You best pour a healthy cup of coffee or glass of pinot noir.

I am a disengaged designer, scribe, and recidivist currently living in the hinterlands of Raleigh, North Carolina. I strive to be kind and I seek out those moments of hope that indeed refuel my soul. Often, the most potent of inspiration is found in random human connections, unexpected art finds, and the magic that cloaks our world.

And, yes, we have pets here at Marklewood: a dozen at most recent census. I refer to them fondly as the Twelve Noble & Apostolic Pusses, but they are much more than any label or moniker would suggest. All are indeed rescues or their progeny, with five having been elevated to "indoor" status. The other seven serve sentry here in the stillness of an ancient pine woods.
Alas, poor Tartuffe has been missing since May of '10. Legend has it that he has embarked on some grand theatrical adventure, perhaps in New York. But I like to think that his spirit hovers over head.

"I have stretched ropes from steeple to steeple; garlands from window to window; golden chains from star to star, and I dance.” -- Arthur Rimbaud

De Gregorio: Seduction and Manipulation

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