Art Space Talk: Lupse Alexandru

Lupse Alexandru is an artist from Romania. In my opinion, his work is a mix of beauty and brutality.

Broken figures caught in a surrealistic background come together in a sense of urgency.In their solitude they stand as a symbol of our collective frustrations.

They truly capture the raw emotion that some of us experience in times of doubt. Mr. Alexandru combines these aspects of the human condition with great skill.

In my opinion, Mr. Alexandru's figurative paintings seem to be full of rage. One feels a sense of loss upon viewing them. However, behind these tortured figures there is a sense of hope.

I hope that you enjoy this interview with artist Lupse Alexandru.

Q. When did you first discover that art would be an important part of your adult life?

A. "I was born in an artistic enviroment, my father is an art teacher and a painter and my brother is a film maker, so i could say that art runs in the family. What really got me started to follow this path was H.R.Giger and the vision in his works. I was impressed by the characters and the way he was depicting the moments in his life."

Q. How has creating art shaped you professionally and personally?

A. "Art is some kind of buffer zone for me, that filters my life and my dreams."

Q. How has society influenced your art? Are there any social implications in your art?

A. "My art is really personal and although society influences my life, i like to think that my artistic vision remains somehow untouched by it. I try to depict primal feelings like love, hate, pain, sorrow and loneliness. I feel that those are the "creatures" that survive until the end of our lifes."

Q. What are your artistic influences? Has anyone inspired you?

A. "There are many and I will start with my father who even though has never pushed me to paint and follow his footstepts, gaved me the basics from wich everything emerged. Other major influences :Vermer, Rembrandt,Manet, Monet, Degas, Munch, Bacon, Klimt, Beksinski, H.R. Giger and the list can go on."

Q. Tell me a little about your background. Are your past experiences reflected in the work you do today? If so, how?

A. "Verry much so , everything i feel is reflected in my art. All my past experiences, wishes and dreams make up a "canvas",I just add a bit of colour to it."

Q. If you could pinpoint the characteristics of people who collect your art, what would they be?

A. "That's an interesting question. Usually, i think a lot of people that relate to my art style , have some deep influences from Rock music, and like to dress in black. But that's just my ideea. I have to admit that 90 % of my works are made on rock or ambiental Metal music. It depends a lot to the customer's previous life experience."

Q. Do you have an upcoming exhibit? If so, where and when?

A. "Next month I might have one, with some fellow artists, other than that, nothing for the moment."

Q. Where do you see your art in 10 years? What are your plans?

A. "I don't know, and I don't think I can answer this, because i never make plans for more than two weeks ahead. I like to be surprised by life. So maybe we will talk again in 10 years so that i can give you the answer for this."

Q. Discuss one of your pieces. What were you thinking when you created it?

A. "This is a question i won't answer because i never like explain my paintings, and i think no artist should. It's important what the viewer can see and can understand from it. A lot of times i realised that explaining a painting to the viewer can inhibit his perception to understand it in his own way."

Q. What is your artistic process?

A. "I never have a plan or a final ideea of the finished work. It evolves from the first brushstroke until the end. Sometime i even start with some random lines that may help or ruin the work in the end. I sometimes use flaws like wrong brushstrokes, drops, dirt, dust and if there isn't a flaw, I might create one. I think that makes it unique and with that it gets more complex.

Another important part of the process is the ambiance and the sound of the place I work in."

Q. Why did you choose the medium(s) that you use?

A. "i don't think I'm limited to only one medium, but oil painting suits me for the time being."

Q. Do you have a degree or do you plan to attend school for art?

A. "I graduated the University of Fine Arts in Cluj Napoca, and I have a Masters Degree in Fine Art at The National University of Arts - Bucharest."

Q. Where can we see more of your art?

A. "I have some works displayed on http://lupsealexandru.deviantart.com/ and soon on my official website www.lupsealexandru.ro"

Q. Are you represented by a gallery? If not, do you want to be?

A. "I have paintings in private colections on online galleries but i can't say I am represented by any of them. Sure , who wouldn't?"

Q. How many pieces have you sold in your career?

A. "Not as many as I thought i would, but i'm still optimistic about it."

Q. Why do you create art?

A. "I can't see me not doing it. I feel that this is the only way I can really express myself to the world, and make a statement for any subject. Somebody said "Impression without expression results depression".

Q. Where can we find you on myartspace.com?

A. "My id is soulripper5 or u can search my gallery Nocturnal Emission."

Check out Mr. Alexandru's myartspace.com gallery by doing a search for soulripper5 on the main site: http://myartspace.com/ Feel free to critique his work.

Take care, Stay true,

Brian Sherwin