It’s almost impossible not to leave a part of yourself when creating artwork, just as it is common for artists to weave a meaning, story or message for the viewer to perceive or self-reflect on. In Hernan Bas’s paintings his artwork is like a series of books, the images often opening on a scene full of drama and intrigue, with the viewer being given access to it, and a chance to guess what came before and after. However, Bas provides the viewers several hints to reveal the tale the models find themselves in. In addition, there’s also humour in the artist’s work, with double meanings and discreet points. For example, That odd summer of 84’ (Satanic Picnic) (2018) look at the writing on the newspaper hats – it might make the picnic meaning a bit clearer, with many different headlines being about human sacrifices e.g. “baby sacrificed by devil died”. It’s also a display of Bas’s interest in the supernatural, which can be seen elsewhere from vampiric wings to objects of the occult.
Bas’s art enjoys a luxurious merging of interior and exterior design, to fashion. The backgrounds exotic, stylised, and fully detailed, while the androgynous models pose effortlessly and candidly with their expressions, their presence not out of place on any catwalk. Bas’s images immerse together popular culture, history, spirituality, and question society’s treatment, perceptions and stereotyping of those who are gay. Additionally, Bas also includes within his narrative, inspirations from the works of 19th century writers, like Oscar Wilde, and an influence of the romanticism.
That Odd Summer of ’84 (Satanic Panic), 2018, Acrylic on Linen with Ink Transfer. Hernan Bas.
Image is courtesy of Lehmann Maupin
There also exists a time of exploration in Bas’s paintings, one into sexuality, especially in the age of adolescence when caught between teenager to adulthood. From a defining of identity and what that means in relationships to others, to a discovering of love, lust and self between young men. Bas’s paintings are full of emotions and his range in conveying them profound, the figures often overwhelmed whether by expansive and chaotic scenes, or ones filled with an abundance of items, the model lost to the distraction.
When viewing Bas’s art, there’s a real atmosphere of The Great Gatsby; with opulent scenes and high decadence, even an appeal to just the allure of life itself and its vibrancy. And yet, there is something equally sad, lonely, and emotional below it all; of a passing nostalgia and forgotten youth.
