Pictogram Paintings
The Pictogram series extracts advertising iconography from cities around the world to create a syntax of graphic signs, subverting their original messages by recomposing the designs in opposition. Pictograms are the foundation of written language, generating meaning without words to provoke our subconscious emotions.
These works find new narratives within branding by placing pictures in violation of their intended reading to reveal the syntactics of vectorized messaging. The paintings implement digital inkjet printing combined with traditional painting techniques, weaving intricate layers of stenciled paint on the printed canvas, contrasting thickly painted graphics with soft digital brushstrokes.
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/J1000710-878x1024.png)
Oil, acrylic, and inkjet on canvas
54″ x 62.5″
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Tokyo_Fingers_2021_email-copy.jpg)
Oil, acrylic, and inkjet on canvas
21″ x 23″
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Ziga_Doggo_2022_web-820x1024.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
40" x 50"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ziga1_BricolageParis_2021-copy.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
48" x 50"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ziga_Bricolage_20212-copy.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
48" x 50"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CJZ5179.web2_-919x1024.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
21" x 19"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Install_Pitaman_20212.jpg)
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ziga1_Pitaman_2021-1024x945.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
21.5" x 23"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CJZ5118.web2_.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
20" x 30"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ziga1_Chetah_2021-1024x783.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
56" x 42.5"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/CJZ5135.web22.jpg)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
24" x 18"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/J1000700-1024x1004.png)
Oil and inkjet on canvas
55"x55"
![](https://michaelziga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Ziga_UniEnv_2018-1024x648.png)
Oil and inkjet on canvas in wood frames
18" x 24" (2)