Michael Mararian

Lygophobia (fear of being in a dark place)

2013

Rendering traditionally cheerful images and concepts into frightening, yet humorous, tableaus, Michael Mararian often focuses on children as the last bastion of innocence to explore ...

Rendering traditionally cheerful images and concepts into frightening, yet humorous, tableaus, Michael Mararian often focuses on children as the last bastion of innocence to explore ...

An original acrylic on paper by emerging contemporary artist Anthony Leone currently featured in the artist's solo exhibition Grape Farm.

An original pair of acrylic on paper paintings (diptych) by emerging contemporary artist Anthony Leone, currently featured as part of the artists's solo exhibition Grape Farm. These...

Female figure, Oaxacan dog vase, teardop, flower; acrylic ink, flashe and pastel on 300g Arches hot press paper; custom wooden frame, shallow shadow box frame. Terracotta, sienna, pi...

Female figure, swimmer, bathing, ocean, sunshine, rocks; acrylic ink, flashe and pastel on 300g Arches hot press paper; custom wooden frame, shallow shadow box frame. Deep blue, turq...

Female figure, seated, floral pattern; acrylic ink, flashe and pastel on 300g Arches hot press paper; custom frame, shallow shadow box frame. Mustard yellow flower with pastel colors...

"Come Out and Play" is an original piece by Qiaira Riley made from acrylic paint on found wood. This piece measures measures 24"h x 14"w unframed. "Inspired by the changing visual landscape of my hometown of Chicago, I created these works to explore how the gentrification of the south-side disrupts intimate, private memories associated with public spaces in the name of urban "renewal," even creating commodifiable opportunities to make community memories public and profitable, yet not sacred. I was attending a suburban private liberal arts college; many classmates often seemed obsessed with fantastical, cheap narratives about my community and the folks in it that deeply contrasted the memories of love and care I had grown up with. These works remember and reclaim these spaces while showing off my favorite public treasures, sights, and delicacies. There are also odes to the sweet parts of my adolescence that I hope urban development will not shift: running around the city with my father, who has worked for the Chicago Park District for over 25 years, my mom getting me a 6 piece from Harold's Chicken whenever I got a good report card, or stopping by Zberry, the city's first black-woman owned froyo shop to get a treat after school. I moved to Philadelphia that same year with just two suitcases, my art supplies storage...