Premio Combat Prize

Manuel Gardina
My paintings explore a variety of subjects from everyday objects, friends, happenings. In each case I aim to fully explore the nature of the object in or outside its natural context. I take pleasure in painting ordinary things, often taken for granted, and put them were it is best for them to express. I have a strong interest in the traditions of portraiture and still life and like to use lighting and elements to show a subject to its full potential. Color’s mysterious refractive effect as it radiates from object to object is a subject which continues to fascinate me and recurs in my pieces.
As well as enjoying the more serious traditions of painting I like to bring a sense of playfulness to some of my artworks and often find humour or even a sense of the ridiculous to enlight a dramatic moment.