LOS BRAVU
Bio
Dea Gómez and Diego Omil, collectively known as "Los Bravú," are two artists who have established a prominent career in the realm of visual arts. Both obtained their degrees in Fine Arts from the University of Salamanca, and their collaborative journey began in 2012.
In their initial years as a duo, Los Bravú navigated within the realms of design and publishing. However, by 2016, they naturally transitioned into the visual arts circuit, with a primary focus on painting. Their work is deeply rooted in the ancient world and the Renaissance, while also harmonizing with more contemporary aesthetics.
Los Bravú have participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions, both in Spain and abroad. Among their recent solo projects are "Resplandador de Resplandores" at the Castillo de Guardias Viejas in Almería, Spain; "The Double Dream of Spring" at Pablo's Birthday Gallery in New York, USA; and "One Way" during their residency at Kontemporary in Seoul, South Korea. They have also contributed to several noteworthy collective projects, including "Illuminations" at Steve Turner Gallery in Los Angeles, USA, and "Iberian Contemporaries: The Resurgence of Spanish Art" at Fabien Fryns Fine Art Gallery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, among others. In 2018, they were featured in the Cerveira International Art Biennial in Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal.
In 2016, Los Bravú were awarded a residency by La Academia de España in Rome. They have also received grants from the Transversia Residency of the Ankaria Foundation in Senegal and the Solo Residency in the UK. Their artworks are part of significant public and private collections, including the DKV Collection in Zaragoza, Spain; the Real Academia de España in Rome, Italy; the Kells Collection in Santander, Spain; the Mariano Yera Collection in Madrid, Spain; and the Casa Cortés Foundation in Puerto Rico, among others. Their work reflects a profound artistic exploration that bridges tradition and contemporaneity, solidifying them as prominent figures in the realm of visual arts.
Statement
Los Bravú, the artistic partnership of Dea Gómez and Diego Omil, embarked on their creative journey together in 2012, adopting a name that encapsulates the essence of their work—a Galician term denoting the scent of animals. Their artistic exploration spans a diverse range of media, including comics, drawing, ceramics, painting, sculpture, and installation.
What distinguishes their artistic language is a unique fusion of figurative elements infused with subtly surreal fantasies and a neo-Mannerist virtuosity. They are known for their meticulous use of collage techniques, blending contemporary design, fanzines, mass media, and an academic aesthetic reminiscent of the masters of the Italian Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries) and the magical realism movement of the early 20th century.
Los Bravú seamlessly integrate various painting styles within a single canvas, ensuring that each element possesses an irreplaceable identity influenced by urban and vernacular culture, as well as a profound fascination with irony.
Their work is marked by intelligence and sophistication, characterized by scenes rich in subtlety and ambiguity. Los Bravú's exploration of the monumentality within the mundane and the icons of mass culture reflects a critical and intuitive perspective aimed at redefining contemporary Europe's identity. Their artistic focus revolves around the ever-shifting social realities of the modern world, the deluge of information, and the iconography filtered through the self-representations of the new generations responsible for shaping the socio-cultural discourse.
Los Bravú's art serves as a thought-provoking mirror to the complexities of the contemporary human experience, offering viewers a glimpse into a world where tradition and modernity coexist, inviting reflection and dialogue.
2.5 x 4m / 98.4 x 157 in
