MauPal’s depiction of Pope Francis as “Super Pope”

A slightly off-topic item, but some readers might be interested to know that London’s Le Dame gallery is currently exhibiting the work of Mauro Pallotta, also known as Maupal, who you might remember for his grand wall painting depicting Pope Francis as a superhero (Super Pope).

Mauro is much more than a street artist, a fact highlighted in his most recent exhibitions where he has been noted for painting with distinctive techniques on unusual surfaces. Painting with spray cans, Maupal usually uses steel wool as a veneer, on to which he gives life to his emotionally charged portraits.

The Queen gets some transcendental treatment from MauPal…

Taking place at the renowned Le Dame Art Gallery in Notting Hill, the title of Maupal’s latest solo exhibition “Since 1928” pays homage to the theme of life through the expressions and words of Liliana, an old Roman woman, born on the 4th July 1928. Through this figure, he conveys his interest in life through the transcendence of time. With a series of looks, sometimes ironic and mocking, Liliana accompanies us as a new Virgil through the political and cultural changes that have characterized the last century and continue to determine our present.

The choice of the artworks titles: 1931, 1933 and 1941, initially seem generic and cold like numbers can be, however they actually serve as a documentation of Maupal’s attention to the passage of time and to the material persistence of memory in people’s lives.

Each of the images depicted by Maupal recognise great figures of the past, such as Salvador Dali, Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Bob Marley. Nevertheless, all the figures that the artist portrays, hold the face of Liliana.

Hauntingly, Maupal is letting viewers know that all these icons are all visibly alive due to this old woman’s voice and her powerful material presence.

• “Since 1928” runs until 23rd August 2014 at the Le Dame, 28 Powis Terrace London W11 1JH. Web: www.ledame.co.uk. Exhibition Details: www.ledame.co.uk/since-1928/4577844283

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: Events, Exhibitions

Tags: Le Dame Art Gallery, Maupal, Mauro Pallotta