A symbol of peace, strength and friendship, the panda is one of the world’s best-loved animals. In his new Pandamonium collection, the Spanish-American artist Domingo Zapata captures this amazing species in his signature Neo-Expressionist style, taking inspiration from the street art and culture of SoHo, Little Italy and Tribeca in New York. The series of two limited edition prints and original mixed media paintings fuses Chinese traditions with elements of urban style and Domingo’s own Mediterranean heritage. Each of the artworks is titled after a Chinese word – including ‘confidence’, ‘precious’ and ‘beautiful life’ – or a panda from the family tree. The stories behind the names are incredible; from a panda who survived the 2008 Sichuan earthquake to one who represented the friendship between Japan and China, Domingo embodies their cultural significance with these expressive paintings. Bold colours, dripping lines and swooping hearts echo Domingo’s belief in the concept of el duende : a heightened physical and emotional response to an artistic performance. Like the flamenco dance, his art expresses movement and passion, but the tranquility of the central panda creates a sense of calm, a yin to the yang of the surrounding chaos. Graffiti motifs such as
hearts, skulls and a crown reflect his urban inspirations, which include the street artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.
The idea for the collection came after a late-night walk through Lower Manhattan one New Year’s Eve, a borough rich in Chinese culture and works by artists from around the world. Emblazoned with slogans such as ‘I love you’, ‘Kiss me like you miss me’ and ‘All you need is love’, the colourful artworks are playful and fun, but also reflect the philanthropic side of his rockstar persona.
“MY PAINTINGS CARRY AMESSAGE OF POSITIVITY AND HAPPINESS. I LOVE TO PAINT BEAUTIFUL THINGS.”
Domingo, whose work is collected by European royalty and Hollywood actors including Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, explains: “My paintings carry a message of positivity and happiness. We need to take better care of our planet and think about the effects our actions can have. I just want to make the world a more beautiful place.”
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