Hynek Martinec: Every Minute You Are Closer to Death

A new series of large-scale monochrome paintings by the young Czech artist launches this new gallery by the former directors of Haunch of Venison. Martinec’s hyperrealist works on canvas combine elements of historical art and contemporary ideas. The subjects of his paintings include timeless symbols of death such as lifeless animals and skulls, as well as more modern images such as Damien Hirst’s diamond skull displayed on a tablet computer. A unique technique involving shaving foam is employed to cause disfiguration of the paintings’ subjects while carrying connotations of vanity and transience.