Michael Cheval

Michael Cheval is a contemporary artist known for his “Absurdist” paintings and portraits that capture the imagination by turning reality on its head. He presents his ingenious artwork as a puzzle, inviting the viewer to solve the hidden meaning behind his art by using clues within the artwork’s title and imagery. “Absurdity can be used in many ways, from making people laugh to revealing new perspectives on old ideas”.

For Michael, absurdity is his invitation to be creative. Inspired by the Surrealist movement and the literary works of Lewis Carroll, Cheval turns reality and logic “on its head” in his art. His use of realistic details, fantastical imagery, and enigmatic titles encourages viewers to imagine the stories behind his art and become “co-authors” of his paintings. “I was also impressed by Salvador Dalí when I was 15 years old,” says Michael. “His art showed me that there are no limits for the flight of fantasy, that there are no rules and prohibitions for where true art lives.”

Cheval has won numerous awards for his art including Best of Worldwide Oil Artists by Kennedy Publishing in 2009. He is a member of the prestigious National Arts Club in New York City and the internationally acclaimed Society of Art and Imagination in London.