Moon Over Madrid ¡FIESTA!
Party, festa, páiduì, vecherinka, hizb, pati… ¡FIESTA!
Who doesn’t like a party? We all have a memorable get together that we’ll never forget… and perhaps a couple that we’d prefer to erase from our memory!
Shag (Josh Agle) is no exception. Throughout his career, the artist has dedicated himself to immortalising such fiestas. Whether based on real or imagined happenings, he has portrayed every manner of such gatherings: a reception in an artist’s studio, a cocktail party at a luxurious mansion, a banquet around a swimming pool or a formal situation that somehow ends up with the attendees dancing and wearing lampshades on their heads.
The MOON OVER MADRID FIESTA exhibition features 30 Shag prints from the last 20 years. The works have been selected by him to showcase the funnier and more hedonistic side of his catalogue. The show works are large format (up to 1.5 metres wide) multicolour screen prints. Produced by hand in limited numbered editions, numbered and signed by the artist. Some of the examples featured are the last remaining copies that, in most cases, sold out many years ago.
The most admired elements of Shag’s unmistakable style are clearly visible in each image. Inspired by American illustration and graphics of the mid-20th century, Agle recreates ironic scenes with dashes of his mischievous humour. His kitsch-looking paintings and their clear lines and bright colours uniquely celebrate the joy of living. Shag’s snapshots are never explained, it’s the job of the beholder to interpret what might be unfolding in front of their eyes.
Shag has created a very special piece specifically for the exhibition. MOON OVER MADRID captures a moment in time. The tray of the hostess is presented with the finest Iberian ham and Manchego cheese with musical accompaniment by a guitar player, clearly indicating that this “fiesta” is occurring in Spain. Those more familiar with the terrain will notice that this particular get-together is taking place in Madrid where the La Fiambrera Art Gallery is located, as two of the most emblematic buildings of the best known street in the Spanish capital, Gran Vía, are visible through the apartment windows.
