Portrait IV by Daniel Airam

About the artwork:

Original artwork by the artist Daniel Airam, engaged in a profound reflection on image and symbol.
Painting on wooden stretcher frame.

This work blends classical portraiture with contemporary interventions in an exploration of identity and time. The figure, dressed in a rich blue-striped garment adorned with a pleated collar, evokes the elegance of 17th-century portraiture. The serene expression and formal posture reference the great masters of painting.

However, the surface is crossed by graffiti and words such as "LOVE" and "EGO", creating a striking contrast. These inscriptions disrupt the classical perfection, suggesting a reflection on the fragmentation of self-image. This tension between tradition and modernity questions the permanence and construction of identity across eras.

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About the artist:

“The persistence of graffiti and the timeless beauty of the Flemish portrait, both emerging from codified systems, celebrate individuality and share a common memorial function. The brilliance of painting, close to glass or skin, protects a fragile world while offering a space of creative tension. Parietal art, wrapped in silence, remains a visual encounter of timeless power.”

Born in 1958 in Lyon, Daniel Airam began with graphic arts studies before working in printing from 1975 to 1982. From then on, he devoted himself fully to engraving and took part in numerous exhibitions in France, Europe, the United States and Japan.

Over time, he incorporated painting, sculpture and video into his practice, expanding his means of expression. His work today revolves around a reflection on image and symbol, exploring their forms and meanings.