Michael Abrams

Statement

“As a contemporary artist, my work delves into the surreal with my latest series, "Hound Heads." Drawing inspiration from the imaginative worlds of René Magritte and Saul Steinberg, I seek to explore the familiar yet peculiar. In these paintings, I present the ordinary, typically British suited figure—but instead of the expected city gentleman, I replace the human head with an oversized, meticulously rendered hound’s head.

The vacant expressions and glassy-eyed stares of these hounds are meant to evoke a sense of unease and curiosity. Through this, I aim to provoke questions: What lies beneath the surface of these seemingly composed figures? Is there an underlying emotion or narrative that I’m hinting at?

Yet, when the tension builds, I also seek to disarm it. By placing these characters in absurd, theatrical scenarios, I invite a moment of whimsy and reflection. For instance, in "Hound of the Budgerigars" (2024), a flock of vividly painted birds perches on the outstretched arms of the hound, creating a charming "reverse scarecrow" scene. Similarly, in "Still Life" (2024), the viewer is left to ponder whether the title refers to the hound himself or the seemingly random array of colorful objects surrounding him.

Through the "Hound Heads" series, I strive to explore the complexities of the human condition and our intricate relationship with man's best friend..”-Michael Abrams