Artist: Mark Metcalfe

JD Malat Gallery presents Altars: Love Under Will, the debut solo exhibition of Mark Metcalfe, an exciting new voice in contemporary art. Drawing from an ongoing fascination with Jungian archetypes and the sacred feminine, this series delves into the deep connections between historical figurative art and the enduring symbols that represent femininity, power, and mysticism.

Metcalfe’s work pays homage to classical influences, particularly Goya’s relationship with the Duchess of Alba, with whom he shared an obsession for capturing the delicate essence of femininity. His reverence for the draperies, frills, and bows, meticulously rendered in his works, speaks to the timeless potency of the feminine in art, which still resonates today. Altars: Love Under Will meditates on this archetypal mystery, exploring how these old themes continue to shape modern figurative painting.

The exhibition features five elemental paintings, each representing the fundamental forces of Fire, Air, Water, Earth, and Spirit. These pieces, displayed in the gallery’s lounge area, evoke a rich esoteric quality, inviting the viewer to reflect on the metaphysical connections between the elements and the human experience. Metcalfe's symbolic approach infuses the works with a sense of ritualistic meaning, grounding his art in both the mystical and the material.

Join us for this exhibition, as Mark Metcalfe redefines classical forms for a new era, blending history, myth, and symbolism in his captivating exploration of the sacred feminine.