Drew>
He works with cross-cultural images that include artistic nudes, figurative art, Christian iconography, Buddhist art, and other religious art imagery. The final result is a unique kind of very personal portraiture that uses male models and female models to express an aesthetic that blends spiritual art and erotic art. He has an eye for turning exotic beauty into introspective and intimate character studies using Asian models, indian models and Arab models to create a highly stylized, yet exclusive art that speaks to the universal emotion in everyone.
His series, Voyages, is a collection of ethnic portraits depicting Asian art, Buddhist art and Muslim art. His models bring to life their cultural surroundings of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. His nude photograph of a sensuous Sikh sleeping erotically on colorful cushions is more than an artistic nude. It tells the story of his moment from an intimate point of view and gives the viewer a glimpse into the inner peace and satisfaction that he is feeling. The models appear to be posed and the environments in which they thrive appear to be staged not unlike a fashion shoot. However, they are put together in such a way that they create a vivid and rich cultural portrait of the figure that draws the viewer in to engage with the model in a profound and rewarding emotional experience. Tal is able to bring out their inner beauty and conflicts through the skillful marriage of his figures with their environments.
Like the Sikh, Tal's portrait of the Arab youth radiates movie star good looks. His warm and intelligent eyes radiate strength as they peer out through layers of cloth wrapped across his face that make up his native dress. He is adorned with coils of beads and set against a background of an ancient wall scrawled with Moroccan writings. The wall appears to be digitally superimposed behind the portrait. Nevertheless, it artistically places him in his native environment in a visually rich and interesting setting that adds depth to the portraitature. Tal has chosen for these subjects exceptionally beautiful and youthful male models. In the Arab portrait, the Arab model is a study in introspection and inner conflict. He has chosen a sepia tone for the portrait which gives it age, mystery and authenticity.
Tal's portrait of another Sikh is framed in an oval frame decorated with a Mughal pattern. This provides the art with the authenticity of period Indian art, even though the man's face is modern. The modern superimposed with the antique adds depth and conflict to the portrait.
All the above art pieces are available for purchase through Drew Tal's website: www.drewtal.com