The word “escapism” can have a negative meaning, suggesting that escapists are unhappy and unable to connect with the world around them. It sounds like a surreal concept, but in our every day lives, on social media for example, we find ways to divert from reality. Daniel Merriam’s recent exhibition at AFA Gallery challenges the notion that escapism is fundamentally negative. “It’s not a sin, it’s not a crime, it’s not a disease… You think of escapism as being denial. So a little bit of escapism is considered good – too much is not,” he shares. “Now You See Me: The Art of Escapism” is Merriam’s reflection on this idea.
Daniel Merriam, with AFA Gallery Owner Heidi Leigh.
Merriam finds a balance to creating a fantasy place where we can seek happiness. Where there is beauty, there are also elements of horror in his details; for example, cats are given human-like hands and demonic horns, and serene buildings overlook violent green seas. Escapism, for Merriam, is a mental diversion achieved in the process of painting his watercolors. We took a look at Merriam’s process recently, in our discussion with him about his sketches and stylistic influences. These touches of good and bad, which exist in life, are necessary to the image’s ability to transport us. The completed image then becomes a doorway for his audience to enter his imagination. Take a look at more photos from the exhibition below, courtesy of the artist and videographer, Michael Stever.
Underwritten by AFA NYC.
Filipino surrealist Jon Jaylo creates brilliantly colored and riddled oil paintings inspired by poetry and stories. His paintings have earned him the moniker "The Enigma" for his puzzling depictions of a parallel universe where animals wear clothes, children take on adult personas and gravity ceases to exist. Jaylo has said that he is never completely satisfied with his style, which varies from piece to piece, influenced by a range of artists like Rene Magritte, Paul Delvaux, Gustav Klimt, Frida Kahlo, Salvador Dalí, and William Bougereau. Opening September 12th, Jaylo will make his US debut with his solo exhibition "As the Moon Draws Water" at Distinction Gallery in California.
Artist 
Berlin-based artist 
Surrealist art is often highly cryptic and the odd juxtapositions and ambiguous narratives can sometimes feel unnerving. This is understandable given the contradictory space between the subconscious and reality that surrealist artists navigate in their creative process. In the hands of self-proclaimed surrealist