The "selfies" is one of my most recent painting series. My work has been influenced by technological "toys" and gadgets as well as popular culture. This interest goes back as far back as the early 2000's when I created and emulated the illusion of computer screen shots and windows juxtaposed with world news and socio-political events. My work has progressed to include one of our most beloved technologies, our smartphones. Androids, iPhones and BlackBerries are an extension of (many of) ourselves and thus can not be "detached" from them for too long; they are the preferred method of producing and engaging in narcissistic, self-absorbed, ego-boosting "selfies" (pictures taken by oneself and shared in social media for others to view and "like").
“app 2 regain passion”
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
18 x 14 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
“selfie saturation”
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
20 x 16 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
The notoriety of this Ortiz, "papi", and US President Barack Obama "selfie" captivated my creative imagination… mostly because I am a fan of baseball, Obama, and am intrigued by the ubiquitous “selfie” phenomenon.
"app 2 b creepy 6"
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
20 x 16 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
"app 2 b creepy 5"
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
20 x 16 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
“app 2 b creepy 4”
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
20 x 16 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
“app 2 b creepy 3”
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on paper
23 x 18 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
This painting was inspired by a famous 1957 photograph by Irving Penn where he brilliantly focuses on Picasso's piercing left eye.
“app 2 regain passion 4”
acrylic, pencils, ink & oil on canvas board
20 x 16 in © 2014 Gabriel Navar
This painting is a commission for my good friend Ray who requested a painting involving a logo of his favorite artist, musician Gary Numan. I have completed his request in my own style of painting involving technology and popular culture. Ray specifically requested that I reference Gary Numan so that he may autograph it during his stop in San Francisco, CA in April 2014.
This video features Gabriel Navar's newest series of paintings dealing with the selfie phenomena. Subjects include individuals taking pictures of themselves with their smart phones. Included is big papi, David Ortiz, taking a selfie with US President Barack Obama.
The background music is "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. Shouldn't we be happy when taking a selfie?
Visit my Painting Galleries: For over twenty years, image-making for me has been a passion and avenue for exploring experiences, dreams and preoccupations, including issues of our dependence on technology, consumer culture, relationships, spirituality, politics, and the human "theatre". The paintings are arranged into different galleries, grouped, chronologically (the earliest from 1993 and spanning into the present) and "themes", especially when I find myself working in a series of paintings inspired from my life experiences, memories, nostalgia and personal interest, for example multi-generational, cross-cultural, popular consumer-based iconography and imagery, such as Chespirito, the Morton Salt Girl, muppets from Sesame Street, the Mexican Loteria, and Art History Homages.