* All images used with permission. Please do not distribute without first contacting the artist.
Born in 1975 in Buenos Aires. In his early art career, Chaval drew comics with an apocalyptic sense of humor while studying fine art painting. In search of a new media of artistic creation, he started to paint on vinyl surfaces such as cushions and punching bags, which has become an important body of his work. Since moved to New York in 1999, he has developed a series of works embodying his signature characters PIPU the Mutant butterfly, and PEPO the mutant walking pet. In April 2003, his work received Artist Achievement Award given by Charlotta Kotik, Curator and Chair of Department of Contemporary Art of Brooklyn Museum of Art.
Damian explains his work by saying, “It may be difficult to place my work as part of a predefined movement or concept: I use mixed techniques and philosophies in a succession of images, lacing them with my apocalyptic sense of humor. My individuality derives from my ability to break down the present complexity from a point of view that is sublime yet horrifying- an uncanny world inhabited by pleasure as much as pain. My intention is to transcend the static limitations of the painting, both aesthetically and conceptually, conveying powerful emotions with the work while maintaining tranquility. I browse through an extremely calculated imperfection born of my Buenos Aires design influence. Technically, I plan precisely to achieve mechanic-print effects. The digital resources I plan with are transferred manually onto the canvas where they meet human spontaneity. I am perpetually exploring new media to bring new effects and complexity to the art.”.
