The work of Oscar Fouz Lopez is informed by mythological stories and their synthesis of history, metaphors and philosophical teachings. According to Carl Jung, myths are embedded in the human psyche in the form of archetypes. Lopez's paintings focus on the Hero archetype, who endures personal challenges, serving as a metaphor for self-improvement.
The artist celebrates the lives of ordinary people, acknowledging the hardships everyone confronts along their own paths, whether struggling with ill health, heartache, or the myriad other obstacles life puts in our way. Using mythological stories as a prism, Lopez re-imagines and interprets their narrative templates in contemporary settings, highlighting their enduring relevance and didactic qualities. Recognising that myths are timeless teachings, he shows how their arcs and motifs can apply to the challenges of our daily lives. Joseph Campbell, author of The Hero with a Thousand Faces, formulates it thus: ‘It’s always the prime function of mythology and rite to supply the symbols that carry the human spirit forward’. By focusing on the part of the Hero – the aspect of our psyche that strives to follow the best path – he brings ancient narratives to life, illustrating how they can guide and inspire us in our personal journeys.
Oscar Fouz Lopez is a Spanish-born artist who studied in Ireland and now lives and works in Vienna. Previous solo shows include Light Catchers (2022), and Don’t Look Back, Baby (2020), both at the Molesworth, and Pickled Chimp Ears at Pallas Projects (2018). He graduated with a BA in Fine Art from DIT in 2010 and was shortlisted for the Most Promising Graduate Award at the Talbot Gallery the same year. Lopez also holds an MFA in painting from NCAD (2016) and was the Tony O'Malley artist in residence for 2018/19. He won the St Patrick’s University Hospital Favourite Painting Prize in 2020. His work is held in public and private collections, including those of the OPW and Trinity College, Dublin.
