Michael Abrams

Who? Why? What? - Original animal surrealistic painting-contemporary art

2024

Michael Abrams, a self-taught artist from Yorkshire, has been passionate about art from an early age, always determined to build a career in the field. He began his journey as a freelance greeting card artist, where his distinctive designs quickly caught the eye of leading publishers. This early success led to licensing opportunities, propelling his artwork to international recognition, including exhibitions in New York and the publication of two illustrated books by HarperCollins. Abrams’ artistic versatility extended to ceramics, where his work was featured in a celebrated range for Wedgwood. His transition into the fine art world was seamless, becoming a top-selling artist with major UK fine art publishers. Today, as he forms strong partnerships with independent galleries, Abrams enjoys a growing number of successful exhibitions both in the UK and internationally, solidifying his reputation as a prominent figure in contemporary art. Discover the captivating contemporary surrealism of Michael Abrams at Signet Contemporary Art, available for purchase both in our London gallery and online. Each piece is a testament to Michael’s remarkable talent and distinctive vision, drawing you into a world of imaginative and thought-provoking art. “As a contemporary artist, my work delves into the surreal with my latest series, “Hound Heads.” Drawing inspiration from the imaginative worlds of René Magritte and Saul Steinberg, I seek to explore the familiar yet peculiar. In these paintings, I present the ordinary, typically British suited figure—but instead of the expected city gentleman, I replace the human head with an oversized, meticulously rendered hound’s head. The vacant expressions and glassy-eyed stares of these hounds are meant to evoke a sense of unease and curiosity. Through this, I aim to provoke questions: What lies beneath the surface of these seemingly composed figures? Is there an underlying emotion or narrative that I’m hinting at? Yet, when the tension builds, I also seek to disarm it. By placing these characters in absurd, theatrical scenarios, I invite a moment of whimsy and reflection. For instance, in “Hound of the Budgerigars” (2024), a flock of vividly painted birds perches on the outstretched arms of the hound, creating a charming “reverse scarecrow” scene. Similarly, in “Still Life” (2024), the viewer is left to ponder whether the title refers to the hound himself or the seemingly random array of colorful objects surrounding him. Through the “Hound Heads” series, I strive to explore the complexities of the human condition and our intricate relationship with man’s best friend..”-Michael Abrams