Michele Bubacco has a raw, visceral approach to painting, with deliberate strokes and a reductive palette that emphasizes the anguish and despair of the figures. His gestural and almost violent canvases present an implied narrative rife with psychological underpinnings and ambiguous sexuality and behavior. The figurative elements are fragmented, leaving the viewer with only a partial point of entry into the chaotic events seemingly taking place.

The works collectively, present a ‘story line’ of indeterminate Hogarthian activity and apparent dissolution as each canvas segues into the next. While there is no beginning and no end to this non-narrative, the multi-figure images may be considered the opening scenes to an enigmatic maelstrom of discomfort; with the paintings of single figures and resultant vignettes, furthering the sense of darkness and mystery.

Bubacco has been called an ‘existentialist’ and in this there is the ring of truth. Surely, he is a descendent of artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Germaine Richier and Francis Bacon; and like them his figures struggle for self-definition amidst ambiguity in an age of doubt.

To inaugurate its new location the David Richard Gallery is pleased to feature the artwork by the young Italian painter Michele Bubacco as part of its 2016 program of exhibitions. The exhibition, “Serenade” will be presented January 15 through February 20, 2016. There will be an artist reception on Friday, January 15 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM and a presentation by the artist on Saturday, January 16, from 3:00 - 4:00 PM. The gallery’s new location is at 1570 Pacheco Street, Suite A1, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505, phone 505-983-9555 in the midtown art and design district.