Domingo Zapata

Domingo Zapata (born December 22, 1974) is a Spanish-American artist born in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Currently, Zapata maintains studios in his Gramercy Park townhouse in New York City, as well as Miami, Venice and Paris. In these private ateliers he produces Neo-Expressionist paintings as well as sculpture, and mosaic. He paints in both oil and acrylic, often incorporating mixed-media, collage and graffiti.

Perhaps best known for his signature "Polo" series which first gained him critical acclaim his more recent work focuses on themes including his native Spanish culture, American Pop icons and classic literature. He often draws on his experiences as a songwriter (Zapata co-wrote lyrics for Michael Jackson and Jon Secada) and exposes his deeply poetic imagination by incorporating text and visual cues into many of his works. In this way, his images coax the viewer into his realm where fact and fiction persist simultaneously, fortifying each other's beauty, depth and meaning.[1]

Life and Work

Early Years

Zapata was born in Palma de Mallorca in Spain, but moved to London to attend Regent's College (1993-1997) and later moved to Washington, D.C. where he studied at the American University.[1] Zapata specialized in the study of contemporary art with a focus on acrylic painting and pastel drawing.[2]

Career

Zapata cites his inspiration from everyday life as well as his own personal experiences. From childhood memories, to film stars of the past and present, to famous works of art, Zapata uses elements of collage, oil, acrylic, and graffiti, to imbue his works with elements of an elevated and exaggerated reality. Zapata incorporates text and visual cues into many of his pieces, which often brings critics to align his work more closely with the pop-art movement. For over 20 years Zapata has built a body of work which varies significantly in motif, though consistently explores themes of sexuality, opulence and vitality in his signature style. In this distinctive hand, Zapata layers fantasy and reality, luring the viewer into his potent, cosmically beautiful world. He has recently started working on mosaics, in Ravenna, Italy, employing ancient Byzantine techniques which can be found in the mosaics for which the city is famed.

Named an "artist to watch," in 2011 by Whitewall Magazine, Zapata has quickly fulfilled this prophecy. Since, his work has attracted international press such as The New York Times (cover story, Thursday Styles, April 25, 2013), Vanity Fair Italia, Esquire, Spain, and the New York Observer. Recently, New York Magazine deemed him "in a league of his own," while the New York Post proclaimed Zapata to be the "new Andy Warhol, with starlets begging for a sitting."

His clients include Johnny Depp, Leonardo Di Caprio and the investment bank Goldman Sachs.[3]

Zapata lives and works in New York, Paris, MIami, and Venice and is represented by Hus Gallery in London.

Selected Exhibitions

2014

"A Bullfighter in New York" | C24 gallery | New York, NY, USA[4]

"A Nod to Matisse" | Lab Art | Los Angeles, CA, USA[5]

2013

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” | during the 55th Venice Biennial | Palazzo da Mula | Venice, Italy

“11 Minutes” | 376 West Broadway | New York City

"Zapata sur St. Barths" | Tom’s Beach Hotel | St. Barths

2012

Art Basel Miami | SLS Hotel | South Beach, Miami

"Zapata for Venice Film Festival" | Palazzo da Mula| Venice, Italy

Zapata at the Bowery Hotel | New York City

"An Evening to Celebrate Joffrey West" | Valley Performing Arts Center | Los Angeles

Kings Polo Classic | International Polo Club of Colt’s Neck | New Jersey

2011

Art Basel Miami, | Delano Hotel | South Beach, Miami

Atelier Au Chateau Marmont | Bungalow | Hollywood, Los Angeles

Independent Exhibition | 54th Venice Biennial | Venice, Italy

Southampton Fifth Annual Spring Auction | Southampton Polo Club | New York

“Un Chien Andalou,”Whitewall Magazine Studio Show | SoHo | New York City

2010

Art Basel | Ink Miami | courtesy of Marlborough Gallery | Miami

Dove Gallery | Fairmont Hotel | Monte Carlo,Monaco

Société Genérale Banque Privée | Monte Carlo, Monaco

References

  1. 1 2 Domingo Zapata Official Website
  2. ↑ http://www.husgalleries.com
  3. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-2286564/Domingo-Zapata-Johnny-Depp-Leo-DiCaprio-buy-art-Lindsay-Lohan-crashed-car-stars-want-paint--naked.html
  4. ↑ http://blog.seemuse.com/post/106639646998/who-doesnt-get-inspired-by-new-york
  5. ↑ http://www.domsnuts.com/domingo-zapatas-opening-night-at-lab-art-in-los-angeles/
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