Long Live the King - Gilgamesh
Tribeca-based art gallery Pablo's Birthday and a new series of paintings, Long Live the King by Michael Manning. With the ancient Mesopotamian myth Epic of Gilgamesh as a focal point, Manning has created a series of bold and dynamic paintings that balance both abstract and figurative imagery. These allegorical images convey ideas that are as significant today as they were 4000 years ago.
Manning is drawn to mythology and religion for his subject matter. He finds modern relevance in these stories as he works through their meaning within the paintings .When encountering these images the viewer is able to relate to them on an individual level or on their larger more timeless scale.
While the content and manner in which he paints are inseparable, the process of how the paintings develop is at the core of the images. Manning strives to find balance between abstract and concrete imagery. Where this balance occurs, and how far or in what direction it will go, can change from painting to painting. The spontaneous nature of his painting allows for endless discovery of shapes, colors and lines.
Similarly, he strives to find a balance in how he chooses to depict the allegorical subject matter. The balance in this case is in finding a way to convey a message without overtly telling a story.
King’s Foot 40 x 32” acrylic and oils stick on canvas
New Shoes 88 x 74” acrylic and oil stick on canvas
Fit for a King 74 x 99” acrylic and oils stick in canvas
King of Uruk 22 x 28” acrylic and oil stick on canvas
The Gift 78 x 102” acrylic and oils stick on canvas ( diptych )
Vedette 84 x 80” acrylic on canvas
Long live the King 74 x 101” acrylic and oil stick on canvas
King for a day 84 x 88” acrylic and oil stick on canvas
Droit du seigneur 74 x 78” acrylic and oil stick on canvas
Our fallen king 78 x 60” acrylic and oil stick