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By Eileen Cartter
Martin Margiela has become a mythical designer by treating the human frame as a kind of canvas for provocative and bright garments, now he gets rid of the intermediaries and goes directly to the canvas itself, stating that his paintings will henceforth be represented exclusively through the Gallery of Antwerp Zeno X.
Since leaving his post as artistic director of his eponymous space in 2008, the founder of Maison Margiela has focused on artistic creation and will provide his first collection of artworks in a solo exhibition at Lafayette Anticipations at next month’s International Contemporary Art Fair. or FAIC, in Paris.
“After many years, the human body, as the only means, felt too narrow and the formula has become suffocating,” Margiela told Artnet in a rare way. “I needed a broader spectrum with general freedom in artistic expression, and I rediscovered my roots as a child in art school, enjoying natural creation without borders. Today, I am proud to see my paintings recognized.
The Belgian designer and artist has long been a mysterious figure in the fashion world, usually avoiding public scrutiny, including his stint at Maison Margiela, which has been under the artistic direction of John Galliano since 2014. “I knew I could give more if I felt protected,” Margiela said in the documentary titled Martin Margiela: In His Own Words, released last year. Certainly, his tendency to “give more” also apply to his art: the next exhibition, which will feature more than 40 new works, will cover media, from portraiture and sculpture to film and installation.
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