Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Artist Spotlight: Michael Adams

Back in February 2001 I travelled to the glorious island nation of the Republic of Seychelles. The reason for my travelling to this piece of paradise was to visit my best friend who had returned there after completing her degree in Australia.

For those who are not familiar with the Republic of Seychelles, it is a country spanning an archipelago of 115, yes 115, granite & coral islands. Seychelles, at it is more familiarly known, is located in the Indian Ocean approximately 1600 kilometres east of Kenya. It has a population of 84,000 of which 90% live on the main island of Mahe. Mahe is the largest island of the archipelago. Having said that, it is only 28 kilometres long & 8 kilometres wide. Tiny, tiny, tiny.

Unfortunately I visited during rainy season but nevertheless enjoyed the wondrous beauty that is Seychelles.

Whilst there, I had the opportunity to visit Michael Adams' gallery which is situated at his residence Anse aux Poules Bleues & purchased my very first piece of artwork.

Michael Adams at work
Adams is one of Seychelles' most famous artists. His style is hieroglyphic realism. His subject matter ranges from everyday Seychelles' life of people & their homes, palms, jungle vistas, botanical gardens through to street life scenes.
"I am basically a jungle person. I paint regularly from one spot in the Botanical Gardens. Every time you look at the jungle around you, you see a different way of painting it!"
It is the jungle & botanical gardens paintings in particular that stand out in his body of work. His use of colour & movement bring a vibrancy to his paintings that have led to him being titled "the Gauguin of Seychelles"
Sauzier Falls
Northolme
Botanical Gardens VI
Vallee de Mai III
Anse Gaulette
Flavie's House
Botanical Gardens V
Valle de Mai Praslin
Sandy K

[all above images via Michael Adams]

Related Posts with Thumbnails