Costa Gorel is a Jewish artist living and working in Spain. Rooted in the traditions of the North German Renaissance, his practice bridges centuries of European art history with a contemporary expressionistic language. His style resonates with the legacy of Egon Schiele, Oskar Kokoschka, Ferdinand Hodler, and Emil Nolde, channeling their intensity into explorations of the human psyche.
Working primarily with oils and watercolors, Gorel investigates the emotional and psychological states of his subjects, often revealed through their interactions with spaces, objects, and fashion. Architecture plays a central role in his compositions, informed by the enduring principles of the Baroque and Renaissance as well as the golden ratio. By integrating elements of Gothic and Baroque architecture into the everyday life of his figures—through bags, accessories, and compositional motifs—he emphasizes the continuity of cultural heritage, showing that amidst shifting trends and eras, the fundamental structures of existence remain unshakable.
Sexuality and nudity in his work become tools of expression, capturing vulnerability, insecurity, and at the same time passion and a thirst for life—inseparable forces that define the human condition. His characters embody Orlando, from Virginia Woolf’s novel, beings who navigate the modern world while carrying the memory of past centuries.
Gorel’s artistic philosophy aligns with Woolf’s reflection in A Room of One’s Own: “The beauty of the world which is so soon to perish, has two edges, one of laughter, one of anguish, cutting the heart asunder.” Through architecture and carefully chosen objects, he conveys the passions, contradictions, and timeless struggles of his figures, creating a visual dialogue between past and present.