ABOUT THE WORK:

Today’s issue kickstarts the following selection of one of my favorite Chema Madoz photographs.

Chema Madoz has been represented by PDNB since the year, 2000. His work was discovered at the 2020 FotoFest Biennial in Houston, Texas. Chema is a well-known Spanish artist from Madrid. He is very influenced by the surrealists, combining two or more unrelated objects in the studio, or even outdoors, that somehow work together in a humorous or perhaps sinister composition.

This photograph of grass sandals reflects an homage to the Surrealist, Meret Oppenheim, and her famous OBJECT known as Luncheon in Fur. Her furry teacup service relates to the curious use of Chema’s grass lining in a pair of sandals.

Chema has often given a nod to artists, for instance, Magritte, as in his image of a man’s headless hat floating among trees in a park. Or a bowler hat portrayed as a pin cushion. His photograph of a candle with a small feather acting as the flame gives reference to Gerhard Richter.

Missy Finger, PDNB Gallery