Brad Guarino: Sredetz Exhibition, Sofia, Bulgaria

Statement

February 2007

The series of paintings produced during my Fulbright fellowship in Bulgaria explores the cultural construction of maleness, how men relate to one another, and how they cope with societal change. Masculinity as a performance, men’s fear of inadequacy, and the complexity of male relationships are underlying themes in this series. The narratives created in my work employ humor and an implied sense of threat to emphasize the sometimes absurd preconceptions and behaviors that influence relationships between men.

The figures in my compositions are painted from photo-based collages made by recombining parts from various images of men. The images for this current series come primarily from the Bulgarian mass media and from photographs I have taken during my stay in Bulgaria. The collage process references how boys form their concept of masculinity—by piecing together the perceived characteristics of cultural icons and stereotypes with those of influential men in their lives. The awkwardness of the figures resulting from this method reflect the struggle men face to integrate these disparate qualities, their discomfort in forming intimate relationships with other men, and the difficulty they have with adapting to a changing society.

Brad Guarino

Sredetz Exhibition, Sofia, Bulgaria

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