Michael Lazarus, “Moon”, acrylic, collage, and mirror on wood, 26” x 18”, 2008-2009

You Are Real, an exhibit of mixed media work by Michael Lazarus, opened Nov. 5 in Fairbanks Gallery.

Lazarus’ carefully crafted artwork explores iconography through the use of bold color, text and stylized imagery that creates a powerful dynamism. His hypnotic designs and metaphorical images, such as snakes, skulls and ribcages, produce works that are frightening yet beautiful.

In his exhibit, “You Are Real,” Lazarus uses found or purchased signs, or sometimes signs that he has personally created. Lazarus’ interest in the function of signs is how they operate as objects that carry meaning. “These works use very few images in each work,” say Lazarus, and “they are closer to portraiture in the way they operate.”

Lazarus lives and works in Portland, OR.

Fairbanks Gallery is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and Fridays from 8 a.m.-noon. The exhibit concludes on Nov. 28.

~ Douglas Russell