Artists
Michael Cheval
Michael Cheval is a contemporary artist known for his “Absurdist” paintings, drawings, and portraits that capture the imagination by turning reality on its head. Cheval presents his ingenious artwork as a puzzle. He invites the viewer to solve the hidden meaning behind his art by using clues within the artwork’s title and imagery.
Artwork
Flippant Benevolence
812770 Cheval, Michael Flippant Benevolence 2017 25'' x 20'' Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 proofs (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist's proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer's proofs, 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs, 450 Arabic numbered International proofs, 130 Arabic numbered International europea...
Inspiration
349340 Cheval, Michael Inspiration 2015 28" x 16 3/4" Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in ink lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 examples (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer proofs, and 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Lullaby of Uncle Magritte
364320 Cheval, Michael Lullaby of Uncle Magritte 2016 33'' x 26 5/8'' Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in ink by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 examples (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer proofs, and 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Magician's Birthday
364330 Cheval, Michael Magician's Birthday 2016 33'' x 26 1/2'' Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in ink by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 examples (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer proofs, and 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Nothing but a Pack of Cards
812790 Cheval, Michael Nothing but a Pack of Cards 2017 25'' x 20'' Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 proofs (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist's proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer's proofs, 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs, 450 Arabic numbered International proofs, 130 Arabic numbered International...
Sounding Silence
812810 Cheval, Michael Sounding Silence 2017 25'' x 20'' Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 proofs (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist's proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer's proofs, 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs, 450 Arabic numbered International proofs, 130 Arabic numbered International european ar...
Melody of Rain
349410 Cheval, Michael Melody of Rain 2015 27 1/4" x 25 3/4" Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in ink lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 450 examples (130 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered artist proofs, 130 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 130 Arabic numbered printer proofs, and 3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Discord of Analogy
362400 Cheval, Michael Discord of Analogy 2016 6 5/8'' x 8'' Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 9500 examples (3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Enigma
362401 Cheval, Michael Enigma 2016 8 3/8'' x 6 3/8'' Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 9500 examples (3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Evolution
362402 Cheval, Michael Evolution 2016 6 3/4'' x 8'' Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 9500 examples (3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Melody of Rain
362404 Cheval, Michael Melody of Rain 2016 7 1/2'' x 7 1/8'' Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 9500 examples (3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
On the Wings of Fall
872200 Cheval, Michael On the Wings of Fall 2019 35 1/2" x 23 3/4" Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered international European artist proofs also exist).
Dance with the Wind
883020 Cheval, Michael Dance with the Wind 2019 22 1/4" x 18" Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered international European artist proofs also exist).
Alter Ego Convention
894900 Cheval, Michael Alter Ego Convention 2020 25" x 15" Sculptograph (three dimensional multimedia construction) with archival UV ink. Hand-signed in pigment center right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered internation...
The Tempest
872210 Cheval, Michael The Tempest 2019 33 1/8" x 17 3/8" Dye sublimation on aluminum. Hand-signed in pigment lower right by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered international European artist proofs also exist).
Imagine II
355550 Cheval, Michael Imagine II 2016 8'' x 6 3/4'' Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 9500 examples (3 Arabic numbered bon a tirer proofs also exist).
Felicity Of Delusion
945460 Cheval, Michael Felicity Of Delusion 2021 18 3/8" x 22 3/4" Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered international European artist proofs also exist).
Snow White's Defense
945450 Cheval, Michael Snow White's Defense 2021 24" x 19 1/4" Digital multiple on aluminum through dye sublimation. Hand-signed by the artist. From the Arabic numbered edition of 200 examples (200 Roman numbered proofs, 200 Arabic numbered international proofs, 200 Roman numbered international proofs, 90 Arabic numbered hors commerce proofs, 27 Arabic numbered European artist proofs, 27 Arabic numbered artist proofs and 27 Arabic numbered international European artist proofs also exist).
Latest News
Answering the Absurd: 10 Questions with Artist Michael Cheval
Absurdity can be used in many ways, from making people laugh to revealing new perspectives on old ideas. For Michael Cheval, 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 Absurdist 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. We’ve previously t...
Artist Michael Cheval Talks About His Ideas, Inspirations, and ‘Explaining’ His Art
Looking at a Michael Cheval painting can be a mind-bending experience. Once you stop admiring his technical skill, you find yourself drawn into the surreal landscapes and absurd narratives that have become his calling card. He's a master of the fantastical, and collectors will often spend hours exploring and debating the symbolism in his works. Cheval recently visited Park West Gallery and was gracious enough to sit down with us to discuss, among other things, the origins of his wildly imaginati...
Michael Cheval Finds the Absurd in Surrealism
Donning a bowler hat, artist Michael Cheval bears a resemblance to artist René Magritte. The similarity is no coincidence, as Cheval’s art is heavily inspired by the late Surrealist. But, despite its mind-bending imagery, Cheval’s artwork does not try to replicate Magritte’s unique perspective. Instead, he uses Surrealism to create something new. “With Surrealism, you don’t have to have text, you can illustrate your philosophy,” Cheval says. Cheval is a Russian-born artist who has become interna...
Artist Michael Cheval Tells the Stories Behind His Fall Art
Many artists are drawn to the unique colors and sensations of autumn, and that includes Absurdist artist Michael Cheval. “I love autumn,” Cheval says. “I love the season when colors are becoming so intensive, the smell of wet soil and a rustle of fallen leaves.” But, for Cheval, fall is more than just brightly-colored foliage. “Every year, Nature reminds us how short our life is,” Cheval says. Rather than anything morbid, Cheval sees autumn as something as cyclical and mysterious. Similar words...
