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ÒThe Agony
& the EcstasyÓ Show Statement ÒThe Agony
& The EcstasyÓ is a show of paintings, silk screens, sculptures and
drawings representing 17 years of creation by Mark Oberlin. The homoerotic theme of sexual desire
is present through the entire collection.
It ranges from the overt to the subtle, from the euphoria of sexual
desire to the aftermath of HIV/aids.
In this collection, he draws the viewer in by creating an opulent world
where dramatic creatures of beauty inhabit. The sexuality is often subdued, not showing the act but
showing the raw sexuality of the individual figure in the piece of
artwork. Many of the pieces
explore hedonism, the desire of attractability and the darker side of sexuality. This is most obvious in many of the
hand drawn and painted silk screens, with words under the images such as ÒHow
does it feel to be one of the beautifulÓ under a male model, ÒFeel the LoveÓ
with a woman in a bra and underwear with a gun and ÒCureÓ with the two male figures in a Pieta style. These pieces are a reflection of gay
cultures obsession with physical beauty, sexual abandonment and aids. Other pieces in the show are more
cerebral in their intentions. The
angels in the paintings are transitional figures to Mark Oberlin. They are the guides for altered states
of consciousness that travel between heaven and hell. The painting, ÒWhen Lucifer Was An AngelÓ, illustrates the
moment in time when Lucifer was in transition from good to evil. In the painting Lucifer is
fighting with another angel that is a reflection of himself. This painting examines the process of
demonization and at the specific point when something is determined to be
evil. The inspiration for this
painting came from the continual demonization the gay culture suffers. It happens collectively as a
population, but first to the individual.
At an often very young age, a gay person becomes aware their sexuality
and for many in the environment they are in, that is considered wrong and
evil. In that environment in order
for them to accept themselves, they have to accept that they are considered
evil by many of those in that environment. If they reveal themselves as who they are, they could be
cast out. This painting explores
the turmoil of accepting oneself and living in an environment where youÕre
demonized. Creating an alternative
environment and perspective is what Mark Oberlin explores with his paintings of
landscapes, flowers and fruits.
These paintings are surreal. The light is warm and caressing, the colors are exaggerated
and intense. The super realism in
his draftsmanship makes the paintings have a three dimensional appearance to
them. It is a safe and welcoming
place to be, like a happy memory.
Many other of his pieces explore the simple beauty of the male form, as
in his sculptures and drawings.
Mark OberlinÕs classically trained, technical skill gives all his work a
life like quality to it. This
collection of artwork is a visual representation of a gay life and experience,
it is ÒThe Agony & The EcstasyÓ. |