First Museum Show of Street Art Legend Miss Van Opens at CAC Málaga

The most successful female street artist gets her first institutional nod.

Miss Van painting for Wild at Heart, Rome courtesy of Miss Van
Miss Van, I Feel Safe Here, 2016 courtesy of Miss Van.

Miss Van, I Feel Safe Here (2016). Courtesy of Miss Van.

Having participated in various gallery shows, painter and graffiti artists Miss Van is currently the subject of her first museum show on view at Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga in Spain.

The current exhibition, titled “For The Wind in My Hair,” presents a selection of 39 paintings, some of which are being shown for the first time, curated by artist and director of the museum, Fernando Francés.

Born Vanessa Alice Bension in Toulouse, France, Miss Van started painting the walls in her hometown at an early age. As her career blossomed, she began to alternate between murals and paintings, always sticking with her very recognizable signature style.

Miss Van painting for Toma Dame exhibition at Iguapop Gallery, Barcelon courtesy of Miss Van.

Miss Van painting for Toma Dame exhibition at Iguapop Gallery, Barcelona. Courtesy of Miss Van.

Miss Van’s paintings have a strong focus on the female figure, which she depicts in a very particular manner. Her women typically share a sexual proclivity, which varies from erotic to childish and innocent.

The characters wear masks, usually reminiscent of wild animals, and have accentuated female features such as long eyelashes and tiny mouths. Miss Van’s use of pastels further places her characters in a dream-like realm, while their dark masks offer a contrasting, mysterious side to her work, as explained on Art Daily.

Because of Miss Van’s original and continued practice with graffiti, this show at CAC Málaga allows for an interesting discourse between the worlds of fine art and street art.

Miss Van painting for Wild at Heart, Rome courtesy of Miss Van

Miss Van painting for Wild at Heart, Rome. Courtesy of Miss Van.

Miss Van For The Wind in My Hair” is on view at Centro de Arte Contemporáneo de Málaga, from June 21-September 18, 2016.


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