On Thursday night, Trust hosted a party for local artist Perry Milou to celebrate his 20 years of innovation in contemporary pop art while raising money for PAWS. The event was eloquently named “Milou Beyond The Canvas: A 20 Year Retrospective Event.” Considered one of the most prominent visual artists of our time, Milou’s trademark is pop culture-inspired paintings: big and bright with hints of whimsy and nostalgia.
Evidence of inspiration drawn from Van Gogh, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and even Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli is apparent in many of his most popular works. Recurring themes in Milou’s expansive portfolio include celebrity personalities, contemporary and Renaissance Italian subjects, and… Philadelphia! The city is certainly shown a lot of brotherly love from Milou, with numerous paintings focusing on the Eagles, Italian Market, our beloved Rocky, the Phillies team and its individual players. A native of the city, Milou currently teaches art to children ages five and up at his Rittenhouse studio, Palette Kids Inc.
Milou paints bold scenes with ripe colors and tantalizing shapes that hold universal appeal. Well-known pieces on display Thursday night ranged from portraits of Obama and Lady Gaga, a series of iconic pop prints of puckered lips, and another series of “Vegas Icon Playing Cards” with imaginative borders that were pieced together with consumer-driven images.
A favorite quote from Milou goes to say: “My aesthetic today is about fantasy. The work is bold, exciting, and graphic – in your face with vibrant colors! I want my work to evoke an aura of beautiful feelings. I am constantly looking at the sky for color. It is the closest thing to actually watching God paint in the present moment.” Browse through Perry Milou’s portfolio of work on his website or Pinterest pages to see why one of Philadelphia’s most illustrious artists is so highly acclaimed.
