MinÁs Konsolas
Minás Konsolas develops his canvases by adding and eliminating multiple layers of paint. He creates his images by scraping and smearing. This process allows him to paint and draw at the same time. Minás was born in Greece and has lived in Baltimore since 1976, where he graduated from the Maryland Institute, College of Art. He is owner of Minás Gallery, an outlet for poetry, both visual and verbal. The gallery, one of Baltimore's alternative art spaces, is located above his vintage clothing boutique in Hampden. It has been a gathering spot for local artists, writers and performers since 1992. Minás has participated in two public mural projects for Baltimore City, in Greektown and at the Farmers' Market. His work has appeared in numerous literary journals, including Maryland Poetry Review and Passager. His original artwork and reproductions are widely collected, locally, nationally and abroad.
Current work
"Interactions"
Minás Konsolas' new portraits mix a variety of materials on the canvas – in particular, the vibrant inks with the acrylic paints and oil pastel sticks. The infusion of bright colors into his formerly subdued palette of earth tones draws us into each of these portraits. The translucent inks are little bits of personality peeking out under a pattern of textured, gestural brushstrokes (which, by the way, mimic the corrugated ribs of his cardboard portraits from two years ago).
Many of the portraits are known personalities among Baltimore's artists and the faces seem to socialize with each other, forming a kind of community. There is a transfer of energy between the subject and the artist and the viewer. The triangulation shows us that these paintings are portraits of the artist and the gallery-goer as well. They are not literal, but they are a kind of likeness – personality portraits that are at once representational and enthusiastic.
- Michael Kimball
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paintings gallery
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MASKS gallery
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