Amadeo Morelos’ recent works fall into two realms: one side sees the depiction of grotesque, bestial figures that seem to be in conflict with their natural surroundings, often cramping an edenic scene or embroiled in royal-blue convolutions. These unsettling figures are a far cry from Amadeo's other stylistic output: childlike landscapes that use a serene palette and smooth colour gradation to offset jagged lines of acrylic that denote natural phenomena.
Amadeo's figurative work responds to the visual legacy of Greek mythology and bodybuilding culture. Disproportionate and fantastical figures are created to suffuse any possibility of a mundane visual experience: their muscles ripple and bulge to an almost nauseating extent. The figurative paintings exude a powerful kinetic energy, while the landscapes show a contrasting sensibility and skilled use of line.
WORKS
Works
STUDIO
Amadeo Morelos his studio, 2020
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Amadeo Morelos was born in 1992, in Morelia, Mexico. Since he was a child he has been fascinated by artistic processes; his youth was spent drawing. As a teenager Morelos’ interests turned to sculpture and he excelled at making clay figures. At the age of seventeen, his father took him to a foundry in Morelia, where he learnt the intricacies of lost wax bronze casting and further cultivated his interest in the arts. Morelos attended the University of Chicago for a BFA. After graduating, in 2017-18 Morelos co-founded Greendoor: a creatibe spave that curated shows for emerging and established artists from the Chigaco area.
His notable solos and group shows include PLHK (Chicago, IL), Comfort Station (Chicago, IL), The Chicago Show (Brooklyn, NY), Heaven Gallery (Chicago, IL) and Palacio Clavijero (Morelia, Mexico). His work has been published in New American Paintings, ArtMaze, The Chicago Times, etc. As well as online publications like Art Net, Art News, among others. In 2021 Morelos had a solo exhibition titled 'Providence' with Unit London. He is currently living in his home town of Morelia and is a 2021 MFA candidate at Columbia University in NYC.