The origins of Costa Gorel's art lie in Spain; the artist himself grew up in Germany in a multinational family. As a result, he came into contact with a wide variety of cultural traditions at an early age which still influence his work today. With distinct sophistication and impressive boldness, he creates unconventional pieces with traditional traits: Between Renaissance and Baroque, modern and contemporary, he plays with motifs, techniques and subtle references in an original way – from medieval myths to the Birkin Bag as a symbol of the modern times.
A central theme of his work is the figure of Orlando – the protagonist of a novel by Virginia Woolf whom Costa Gorel describes as a kind of fictional mentor. A character who travels through the centuries, switching between physical appearances and genders. The only constant is his inner self as he explores life’s spirit through the ages.
Inspired by the multifaceted nature of human cultures across time, Gorel creates works that illustrate both social and psychological states. His deep roots in the German-Austrian expressionist tradition are evident in the emotional intensity of his portraits. It shows strong parallels to the Austrian painter Egon Schiele such as the self-portrait as a form of expression.
Between poetic ambiguity and explicit nudity, his paintings are infused with a touch of eroticism that brings both a seductive and an unapproachable nuance. He uses the image of the naked body as a means of expressing passion and desire, but also vulnerability and insecurity.
Costa Gorel succeeds in combining technical precision with a playful touch: On closer inspection, his little white dog can be found in each of his creations. A subtle game of hide-and-seek that sharpens the eye for unexpected discoveries.
2020 - International Amsterdam Art Fair
2020 - Rave Miami Art Fair
2020 - 2021 Virtually Nepalian Nude Show
2021 - Group exhibition "Colors of Life", Saatchi Gallery, London, UK
2021 - Group Exhibition "Colors of Emotions" FOLD Gallery, London, UK
2022 – Art Madrid Feria, Madrid, Spain
2023 – Art Madrid Feria, Madrid, Spain
2023 – NordArt 2023, Büdelsdorf, Germany
No thanks, I would like to stay on this site.
Yes, I would like to switch.