Carl Melegari was born in Denbigh, North Wales in 1958. He studied Fine Art in Bristol, where he now lives. For many years he lectured in Visual Studies at the University of Wales, Trinity St. David's.
His approach to painting explores the human form both in the urban landscape and in contemplative, unobserved isolation. Working from life and with models in the studio, he focuses primarily on semi-abstraction within the figure while exploring the versatility and textural possibilities that oil paint provides. Carl uses the physicality of the paint, combined with the density of his pigments to evoke the vigour of the human form and to dramatize the raw tumultuous interior. Despite their stillness, they have an intense almost visceral physicality.
His paintings arguably focus as much on the medium of paint and how it reacts with the surface as they do on their subjects.
Carl frequently uses a muted, monochromatic palette from which vivid knots and smears of colour emerge. The constraints of his muted palette accentuate a sense of isolation, contemplation, or clinical examination. He then applies paint liberally and without reserve, building layers, creating a topography. These accumulations, the clots and spontaneous drips of paint come both literally and metaphorically to express the personality and inner life of the sitter.
Carl Melegari has been exhibiting at the gallery since 2021. He has exhibited extensively in London, Manchester, Cardiff, the South West and in North America.
Carl Melegari had his first successful exhibition with us in April 2021. He returned again in 2022 & 2023. Carl will exhibit with us again in March 2025.