ARCHIVED - Eikon by Kraser gives classical sculpture a contemporary make-over in Cartagena

Eikon can be visited in the temporary exhibitions room of the Roman Theatre Museum in Cartagena

Kraser brings a contemporary touch to the icons of classical sculpture with this vibrant new exhibition.

Cartagena artist Kraser has left his mark all over Cartagena and although many visitors to the city will know and admire his work, few will know his name, and even less appreciate the importance of the contribution he has made to the development of urban art here in the region of Murcia.

Born in Cartagena in 1977, he graduated from the Escuela de Arte de Murcia in 2000, and has participated in numerous festivals, exhibited all over the world, helped many other artists to develop and achieve international recognition, produced several books and created artworks in numerous locations, his work instantly recognisable in spite of the diverse influences which have shaped his distinctive style.

This exhibition marks his 30 years as an artist in Cartagena and he has chosen to pay homage to the venue of the Roman Theatre Museum, built around the most iconic building in the city; the Roman theatre itself, with an exhibition drawing inspiration from iconic representations of Greek and Roman classical, neoclassical and Renaissance sculpture, modernised with contemporary styling and colours.

The images are powerful and dynamic, strong colours and bold backgrounds with geometric and naturalised designs highlighting the imposing features of faces which typify classical sculptural representations of power, propaganda, political dominance and immortality, fractured by blocks of colour, and patterns converting them into striking modern images which would be at home on the side of any building in the city.

The week before the exhibition opened the artist created the largest piece in-situ, the galloping horses of a Greek Olympian contest in honour of the Goddess Athena rearing out of a blank canvas as muscle and manes emerged from nowhere, hair by hair and sinew by sinew, the finished result a cacophony of colours that somehow work together to create a powerful image, full of movement and life.

The remainder of the canvases on show were created off-site and are presented in blocks or series alongside sculptural works; one focuses on the sculptural pieces found during excavations of the Roman Theatre itself, another on pieces found on other sites in the former Roman city.

The exhibition by Kraser can be visited until the 12th January 2020 during normal museum opening times.

There is no charge to visit the exhibition, but normal museum entry fees apply for visitors wishing to undertake the normal tour of the museum and Roman Theatre which includes an audioguide in English.

Click here for full information about visiting the Roman Theatre Museum in Cartagena.