Exalted by Marc Tolud, Acrylic on Canvas

48 x 56 Original Artwork   “Exaltedness”   Marc Tolud’s works embody visionary ideas about the more obscure spaces of our mind, the border regions of our consciousness. His compositions intend to create places that look otherworldly and bewitching to the viewer, yet strangely familiar.  Drawing from a variety of inspirations such as the Jewish Kabbalah, illustrated works of medieval scholars and oriental philosophies Marc Tolud’s paintings can almost be seen as parables about the infinite possibilities of our modern battered brain. Meditation, trance, dreams, the concept of memory and melancholy are the framework for the works’ subjects. As a self-taught artist Marc Tolud has developed a signature style and a visual vocabulary, where he mixes human figures with mysterious imagery enveloped by rather abstract landscapes. Painting is a way for him to reflect upon his psychological experience and to engage in a personal journey of discovery that speaks to universal themes. Originally from the Netherlands, the artist has worked in splendid isolation in many places all over the world, where gradually a body of work emerged. Marc has lived in India, Bangladesh, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, UK and often travels to the Negev desert for contemplation and to work in its utter silence, heat and mysterious light. He currently lives and works in New York City.   DESCRIPTION “Exaltedness”   In the work “Exaltedness” a feminine figure seeks mental freedom and enlightenment through movement and dance, slicing through different spheres in the brain and even celebrating the many obstacles in life as depicted in the painting’s circles. The feminine power as such represents the top of the Tree of Life in Kabbalistic literature and is considered the ever-renewing cyclical flow of natural times and seasons. The dark areas in “Exaltedness” refer to death and renewal, whereas patches of earth, night and day all work to create a sense of shifting dynamics. The figure in the painting is at once sensual, ecstatic and melancholic, with garments that accentuate the flow of her movements and power. Although the characters in Marc Tolud’s paintings are often based on a human framework, they actually represent various states of the mind. However, the viewers are encouraged to make their own associations between images and abstract patterns. ---- Marc Tolud’s works embody visionary ideas about the more obscure spaces of our mind, the border regions of our consciousness.  His compositions intend to create places that look otherworldly and bewitching to the viewer, yet strangely familiar.  Drawing from a variety of inspirations such as the Jewish Kabbalah, illustrated works of medieval scholars and oriental philosophies Marc Tolud’s paintings can almost be seen as parables about the infinite possibilities of our modern battered brain.  Meditation, trance, dreams, the concept of memory and melancholy are the framework for the works’ subjects. As a self taught artist Marc Tolud has developed a signature style and a visual vocabulary, where he mixes human figures with mysterious imagery enveloped by rather abstract landscapes.  Painting is a way for him to reflect upon his psychological experience and to engage in a personal journey of discovery that speaks to universal themes. Originally from the Netherlands, the artist has worked in splendid isolation in many places all over the world, where gradually a body of work emerged.  Marc has lived in India, Bangladesh, Belgium, Germany, Indonesia, UK and often travels to the Negev desert for contemplation and to work in its utter silence, heat and mysterious light. He currently lives and works in New York City.