SEEN at Opera Gallery

Artist SEEN is currently showing at the Opera Gallery. His style is a blend of pop and street art, putting together a seductive, appealing and engaging exhibition. SEEN, also known as Richard “Richie” Mirando, was born in the Bronx, NY in 1961. The name SEEN is like an onomatopoeic sound out of a comic book expressing the very themes the artist takes on.

The name was chosen at the age of 12 as well as the first outdoor graffiti with his crew, UA (United Artists) whom he was with for eight years. After the streets, the artist chose a studio to create work in a more refined medium. An advocate of pop art and street art, the artist borrows from both elements to express his heightened passion for the street life and comic books. Mirando never touches on a deeper story than one square of a comic book, although we can still find traces of his youth with small social, political and satirical moments.

Mirando’s use of colour, hue and tonality is superb, the canvases are preposterously tall and the colour is abundant, but they are never too loud or absurd, but rather beautifully composed. The artist reveals a great execution of skill with acrylic paint producing crisp, clean and energising larger-than-life superhero portrayals. His technique of layering pop figures and stencil work engenders exciting textures and moods. Mirando faithfully illustrates pop characters from Marvel, including Thor, Spiderman, Hulk, Batman, the Joker and other characters.

This is an incredibly fun show if you’re a fan of street art, comic books, superheroes and anti-heroes. Despite the fact that the work falls in the category of pop art, which has been around for 50 years, is still seductive and visually appealing with cult references and extra punch, for one to submerge and delight in.

Rafael Cunha

SEEN is at Opera Gallery until 4^th July 2014. For further information visit the theatre’s website here.