hazy histories: the miaz brothers on their radical approach to portraiture

italian sibling duo renato and roberto miaz, the miaz brothers, are widely known for their radical approach to portraiture. using multiple layers of aerosol paint, the brothers create large-format canvases that appear out of focus, hazy renderings that encourage viewer to engage, and push the limits of perception and interpretation. ‘we always look to reach and trespass the boundaries represented,’ the miaz brothers tell designboom in an exclusive interview. ‘that’s the beauty of it — try to attain something that produces the same emotions, but with lightness of spirit and generosity. something that hopefully will communicate with everyone easily and maybe be helpful somehow.’

from may 20 – june 10, 2021, london’s maddox gallery dedicates a solo show to the miaz brothers and their new body of work that challenges perception more than ever before. the past, present & imperceptible follows a residency over the past year at the gallery, where the making of each work became an exercise in self focus.

the blind foam in between | main image: there’s more to it

rendered in the miaz brothers’ signature style with layers of aerosol paint, the works created for the past, present & imperceptible at maddox gallery offer clouded projections of old masters, and apparitions in candle-lit scenes — a hazed account of legends, fables and disparate fantasies. ‘we admire intelligence, capability and talent in humans, nature and fate,’ the duo tells designboom about the subject of the works and their personal meaning. ‘maybe the works we have conceived for the show might help set a narrative, where you find yourself in a place of joy and freedom. maybe also achieve, in daily existence, a moment of comfort and well-being? maybe there is a metaphysical intention to make emotions pliable, moldable towards pleasure. to bring forth the virtues of contemplation, such as harmony, lyricism or grace…’

and all the consequences

throughout their practice, the miaz brothers pride themselves on the surprising nature of their work, which seeks to encourage viewers to use their own perception to bring clarity to the out-of-focus works. ‘our biggest hope is to capture your attention — you find yourself momentarily a bit lost, and that is always good. then when you make the picture yours, you have the choice to absorb the essential and roam freely, or just enjoy the harmony. it is not possible to gaze passively. instinctively, you are immediately prompted to engage on a physical level with what you see, moving closer or further away to decode what is before you. as memory begins to manifest and thoughts start taking form, emotions arise along with the possibility for reflection.’

axis around the island

when designboom first spoke with the miaz brothers back in 2014, they described their interest in ‘the ‘perception’ and not the ‘representation’ – a direct relationship with the senses and the capacity of the self when faced with the elaborate influx of information that nowadays is becoming more and more important.’ when asked about the evolution of their work since then, they say that the work ‘has more intensity and power. maybe. finally we can explore different perspectives and induce different narratives, maybe?’

the journey

the past, present & imperceptible is on view from may 20 – june 10 both online and in the london gallery. ‘the miaz brothers have the ability to make something as finite as a portrait a boundless experience,’ maddox gallery creative director, jay rutland, says. ‘their signature haziness is as beautiful as it is brilliant, and with each work, we are reminded that nothing is truly imperceptible. the challenge for the viewer is to become comfortable with their own perception; to look beyond the artists intention and apply their own narrative to the frame’.

the prince