Michael Andrew Law's "Untitled Art History Painting (Édouard Manet's Olympia)": A Modern Tribute from the "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" Series

Michael Andrew Law's "Untitled Art History Painting (Édouard Manet's Olympia)": A Modern Tribute from the "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" Series
In 2017, contemporary artist Michael Andrew Law, known for his unique style and innovative techniques, unveiled one of his most captivating works: a large-scale mixed media painting titled "Untitled Art History Painting (Édouard Manet's Olympia)". The painting, part of his highly acclaimed "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" series, presents a fascinating blend of traditional and unconventional art forms - a mix of oil and acrylic with glitter and diamond dust, expressively presented on a 200x200 cm canvas.

The "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" Series
This artwork is a notable piece within Michael Andrew Law's popular "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" series. The series represents one of Law's most successful endeavors, attracting significant attention from the art world. It showcases Law's ability to draw from different art movements, stylistic influences, and historical periods to create striking, contemporary forms of expression.

The series' title is a playful nod to Julian Schnabel, a renowned American painter and filmmaker, known for his "plate paintings". Law takes inspiration from Schnabel's expressive style but adds a pop twist, infusing the works with bold colors, a fusion of mediums, and engaging text elements.

A Modern Tribute to Édouard Manet's Olympia
"Untitled Art History Painting (Édouard Manet's Olympia)" is a direct reference to Manet's iconic "Olympia", a ground-breaking piece that redefined traditional art and paved the way for modern painting. In his tribute, Law not only reinterprets Manet's masterpiece but also marries it with the history of the original painting and the life of Manet himself.

The painting is rendered with a rich mix of glitter and diamond dust, adding a tactile, three-dimensional quality, and creating a feeling of perpetual sparkling motion. This creative use of unconventional materials elevates the painting beyond a simple replica, transforming it into a standalone work of art that invites viewers to interact with it.

The Juxtaposition of Graffiti and History
Another striking feature of this painting is the incorporation of hand-written text in a graffiti style, reminiscent of Cy Twombly or Julian Schnabel. The text contains historical details about Manet and his original "Olympia", connecting viewers with the intricate history behind the painting.

This combination of contemporary graffiti with classical subject matter bridges the gap between past and present. It encourages a dialogue between the original painting and its modern reinterpretation, and between Manet, the original creator, and Law, the contemporary artist.

"Untitled Art History Painting (Édouard Manet's Olympia)" is an impressive testament to Michael Andrew Law's talent for combining diverse materials and techniques. It is a celebration of the history of "Olympia", and a shining example from the "If Julian Schnabel goes pop" series. The painting successfully encapsulates the history and controversy of Manet's original, while giving it a new, modern twist. The result is a dynamic, texturally rich piece of contemporary art that stands as a testament to the creative vision of Law.