Tiago Evangelista: Irony in its Most Beautiful Form
In accord with his Instagram handle, Tiago Evangelista is a little bit of a heartbreaker - artistically.
His praise for deprecation, irony, and passion dressed as contemporary art becomes an ache and yearning we have for his paintings. Of course, it’s unreciprocated: it’s a dialogue between Evangelista and the world, not a romantic pairing.
It’s the cynicism of Evangelista that is deafeningly attractive. It’s a quiet revolution, a solo parade based on the human urge to create. Merging dark humor, self-reflection, and the bombarding omnipresence of pop culture, the painter sets the tone for this new branch of contemporary art.
Born in 1987, the Portuguese artist isn’t afraid to be abrasive or to leave the edges rough and gritty. This authenticity has awarded him with global success, making him one of the most sought-after painters in an age where the medium is arguably losing its place at the podium. Regardless, Tiago Evangelista’s oeuvres are like a trip to the 90s and back: Tweety, Sonic the Hedgehog, Babar the Elephant, and more childhood friends make their way into his paintings.
Conversational to say the least, it’s jarring to see innocence tainted with the doubt that pairs with adulthood, but it’s also enormously liberating. It’s natural that they show up, as Evangelista previously said that his love for art stems from the cartoons and video games he grew up on. In parallel, his pieces dabbled in spray paint come from his background in graffiti.
Tiago Evangelista is also known for his taste in fashion, which in turn reflects on his art, like powerful displays of colors and messages. He has in fact told The Feeting Room that, if he weren’t doing what he currently does, he’d be a shoe designer or an architect instead.
About the Author:
Mizuki Khoury
Born in Montreal, based in Tokyo. Sabukaru’s senior writer and works as an artist under Exit Number Five.
