Mythical journey

“Modern Mythos,” MICA Gallery’s new exhibit by local artist Bradon Badeau, hopes to tap into the universal and timeless qualities of storytelling. The show brings a unique recipe to the gallery’s exhibition space, including generous portions of Campbell’s ideas, a noticeable Baroque influence and, most important, the memory and emotion you take away after viewing it.

“I really want it to be about what people get out of it, not what I am saying,” Badeau said. “I try to use symbols we all know, but that don’t necessarily have a definitive meaning.”

“Modern Mythos” features a variety of paintings that are stylistically steeped in the traditions of artists like the 17th century painter Caravaggio. Colors shift dramatically from light to dark, favoring the subject with the lighter end of the tonal spectrum and bringing them emphatically to the viewer’s attention.

As far as the subject matter is concerned, Badeau favors the human figure. But this is where the similarities between Badeau and the famed Baroque painters end. He also infuses his work with a variety of other influences, creating a refreshing harmony between the classic and the contemporary — even evoking a touch of the surreal.

“I do try to make my works a little more surreal than life,” Badeau said. “Not like Dali or anything, but enough to where it is imaginative.”

Along with Badeau’s paintings, the exhibit will also feature a number of sketches and drawings by the artist that give guests insight into his creative process — a process in which Badeau wastes no time. Badeau said that even a large work will take, at maximum, about 36 hours. All preparation for a work is done before a brush ever hits the canvas, allowing the prolific artist the focus he requires.

“I have a strict set of guidelines to get it down to such a short time,” said Badeau. “Lots of preparation goes in before the actual work so the painting can just be the painting.”

This will be the first public exhibition for Badeau, 27, who moved to Michigan in 2007 from his native Oregon. Badeau had been casually interested in art for most of his life, but he didn’t start taking it seriously until the untimely death of his brother. He found comfort from his grief in art. He first enlisted in drawing classes, which led to painting classes, and eventually his interest evolved into studying art at Lansing Community College and Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids. And while this institutional training proved useful in some ways, Badeau said it was everything he studied outside the walls of academia that were the most educational.

“I learned a lot from books, YouTube and just studying how old paintings were put together,” Badeau said. “You’ve got to do a lot of the legwork on your own.”

Don’t let any reference to Campbell’s influence on the work persuade you into thinking that this show is specifically meant for those who subscribe to his ideas. This show, like so much other art, is all about what you take away from it. Whether you believe or not, storytelling is a vital component of art that shapes our perception of works that have come before and works that have yet to be. It’s not hard to imagine that Badeau would second that statement.

“If there is no story, it’s not really good art,” said Badeau. “You’re not reaching anyone and you’re not questioning anything.”

“Modern Mythos” Opening Reception

Thursday April 2, 6-9 p.m. FREE MICA Gallery 1210 Turner St., Lansing (517) 371-4600 micagallery.org