VISIONARY REVUE

CAFE SPHINX

"I like to paint paintings
that I haven't seen."

      In remembering Mati Klarwein, Alex Grey wrote:

       "Klarwein was able to capture the multi-colored iridescent visions and patterns of the inner worlds demonstrating what an experienced psychonaut and fanatically disciplined painter he was..."
      "I was thrilled to finally meet Mati in 1994 and glad to know that he appreciated my work and felt a fellowship with so many of the younger visionary artists whom he inspired..."
      "He was an inspiration to so many artists because he expressed the freedom to imagine and paint anything. He visited and painted mystical dimensions of consciousness, and could coax us into spiritualized epiphanies one moment then plunge us into completely bizarre erotic frenzies."

PARIS - FALL 2004

Photo: Raymond Martin

INSIDE THE KLARWEIN HOME
DEYA, MALLORCA

      During his final years in Mallorca, Klarwein made and sold a number of 'improved paintings', which were cheap paintings bought in flea markets and then 'improved' by the artist. But, he also continued to produce the kind of work for which he is more justly famous. A large retrospective of the artist's output was held at the Royal Museum of Stockholm in 1996.
      On March 7th, 2002, Abdul Mati Klarwein died after a lengthy illness. He left behind his daughter Eleanore from his first marriage and Serafina from his second marriage, as well as his sons Baltasar and Salvador from his third marriage. He will be remembered above all for his rich perception, bizarre humor, love of life, and extremely creative manner of viewing the world - all of which remain manifest for us in his many stunning works.

MATI KLARWEIN
1932 - 2002

See the following page
for more photos and links...