Visual Art – Washington, D.C.
Ariel Messeca re-defines classic portraiture by bringing it back into context of the millennial world. His work examining the face takes the ‘selfie’ to high art. While often his friends are the focus of his work, on occasion subjects come straight from the imagination or even popular culture. Within his acrylic on paper illustrations, Messeca utilizes dried paint to form a 3-dimentional collage to add to the whimsy and energy of his portraits. When working on canvas, these 3-D pieces are expressed as colorful geometric patterns to create the lights and darks of the face. Inspiration to rediscover the face derives from artists such as Chuck Close and one of his favorite contemporaries, Elizabeth Peyton. After graduating from Muhlenberg College with a double major in Studio Art and Theater, Messeca settled in Maryland. He predominantly showcases in the D.C. area where his work has been in several publications and galleries.