Avaritia Facit Bardus AZ19

Presentation of the Artwork:

This piece is part of a unique and original collection signed by AZAD, emphasizing its exclusivity. Limited in number, the artwork is an invitation to ponder on themes that are both timeless and urgent—greed, wealth, and the inherent foolishness of material excess. The figure in the image—a clown—is a recurring motif in the “Avaritia facit bardus” collection, a symbol of human folly and a distorted reflection of the societal obsession with wealth. The clown sits in a plush, luxurious setting, surrounded by an opulence that is almost overwhelming in its presentation. Piles of money litter the floor, while the clown himself grips a bundle of cash, with an expression that suggests both melancholy and absurdity. This imagery starkly contrasts the solemn setting of chandeliers and candlelight, highlighting the discord between true value and perceived wealth.   Exhibition Introduction and Art Critique: The “Avaritia facit bardus” series, of which this work is an integral part, is an exploration of avarice in its most exaggerated forms. “Avaritia,” Latin for greed, and “facit bardus,” meaning to make foolish, combine to form a critical statement on how the pursuit of wealth can corrupt and diminish one’s humanity. AZAD’s interpretation of this theme is as much satirical as it is philosophical, placing his work within a long tradition of artists who use grotesque imagery and exaggerated characters to expose deeper truths about society. The use of clowns in AZAD’s work harks back to the court jesters of medieval times, whose role was to speak truth to power through humor and absurdity. In the modern context, these clowns represent not just entertainers but also avatars of a society that has become a circus of consumption and excess. The lavish background, lit by soft, golden light, contrasts the garish figure of the clown. This juxtaposition between high culture and low comedy underscores the central message of the artwork: that greed reduces individuals to caricatures of themselves. AZAD’s technique of mixed media on canvas adds layers of texture and depth to the piece. The use of both physical media and digital elements allows for a blending of traditional artistic forms with contemporary methods, embodying the artist’s innovative approach. The details in the image—the sheen of the clown’s costume, the fine detail in the background decor, and the tactile appearance of the money—create a hyper-real quality that feels both inviting and unsettling. This realism, combined with the surreal nature of the subject matter, situates AZAD’s work within the realm of figurative expressionism, drawing comparisons to 20th-century masters like Francis Bacon and Otto Dix, both of whom delved into the grotesque to highlight the darker aspects of human existence.  

Artistic Critique of AZAD 777781:

AZAD is a digital artist whose work transcends the boundaries of medium and form. Known internationally for his ability to blend the emotional with the absurd, AZAD’s art mirrors the complexities of human experience—fears, obsessions, joys, and struggles. His focus on figurative expressionism is apparent in this collection, as his characters, while exaggerated, remain deeply human in their emotions and expressions. AZAD’s artistic journey is one marked by a desire to confront uncomfortable truths. In “Avaritia facit bardus AZ19,” the artist addresses the allure of wealth and the self-deception that often accompanies it. The clown is not merely a figure of mockery but a stand-in for all of us—trapped in the pursuit of material goods, only to find ourselves diminished by them. AZAD’s mastery of digital tools allows him to create a world that feels intensely real, yet is fundamentally absurd—a reflection of the paradoxical nature of modern consumerism. His international exhibitions have consistently attracted attention for their innovation and depth. Through his works, AZAD pushes boundaries, not just in terms of technique but also in his exploration of themes. His use of clowns is particularly interesting in that it subverts the usual role of the clown as a figure of humor. Instead, in AZAD’s world, the clown becomes a tragic figure, emblematic of the human condition—desperately clinging to wealth, even as it corrodes their soul.   Artistic Critique of the Work: This particular work, “Avaritia facit bardus AZ19,” encapsulates many of the themes that run through AZAD’s broader oeuvre. The clown, dressed in gaudy attire, surrounded by riches, is a figure of profound sadness. His green hair, red nose, and exaggerated makeup are all familiar, yet they take on a new significance in the context of AZAD’s critique. Rather than a symbol of joy, the clown becomes a symbol of excess, of humanity’s blind pursuit of wealth to the detriment of all else. The technique AZAD employs in this work is particularly noteworthy. The combination of digital and physical media allows for a richness of texture and color that enhances the emotional impact of the piece. The golden lighting, reminiscent of old-world wealth, contrasts sharply with the clown’s absurd appearance, creating a tension that forces the viewer to confront the underlying message of the work. When compared to 20th-century illustration masters like Salvador Dalí or René Magritte, AZAD’s work holds its own in terms of surrealist influence and commentary on societal norms. While Dalí and Magritte often explored the absurdity of the human experience through dreamlike imagery, AZAD takes a more direct approach, using clowns and material wealth as his primary symbols. Yet, the influence is clear: both Dalí’s melting clocks and AZAD’s clown with money serve as reminders of the fleeting and ultimately meaningless nature of material pursuits. However, where AZAD diverges from these earlier masters is in his use of digital media. The hyper-real quality of his clowns, combined with the almost tangible richness of the background, creates a dissonance that is uniquely modern. This is a world where everything is exaggerated, where reality has become so distorted by the pursuit of wealth that it has transformed into a grotesque spectacle.  

Conclusion:

“Avaritia facit bardus AZ19” is a powerful commentary on the nature of greed, materialism, and the human condition. Through his use of figurative expressionism, AZAD manages to capture both the absurdity and the tragedy of our times. The clown, once a figure of humor, is transformed into a symbol of human folly—grasping at wealth even as it destroys them. AZAD’s work, while firmly rooted in the digital age, draws upon the traditions of 20th-century surrealists and expressionists, blending old and new to create something entirely original. His ability to capture the complexity of the human experience, combined with his innovative use of media, ensures that his work will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. The message of this particular piece is clear: in the end, wealth is not the answer to life’s problems. The pursuit of material goods, while seductive, ultimately leads to emptiness and despair. Through his art, AZAD encourages us to look beyond the superficial, to confront our own desires, and to question the values of the society we live in. “Avaritia facit bardus” is a collection that challenges, provokes, and ultimately inspires. It forces us to confront our own complicity in a system that values wealth above all else, and it encourages us to imagine a world where human worth is measured not by money, but by deeper, more meaningful connections.