Artist in conversation: Aleks Gorkowienko
Coming from Kraków, Poland, Aleks is a young contemporary artist interested in the boundaries between the abstract and surreal. He derives inspiration from a mix of real life subjects as well more experimental ideas, aiming to spark interest and curiosity through various media.
Follow Aleks here.
- Welcome to The Holy Art. Could you tell us a little more about your background, and how did you begin creating art?
My name is Aleks, I am twenty-one and I was born in Kraków, Poland. I am currently completing an integrated MScinPharmacology at the University of East Anglia; I have a passion for Pharmacology and science in general. Up to this point, I have had no official art education at any stage of schooling, however it is something that’s been with me all my life. I only started properly creating art around 5 years ago with ink and paper in a little sketchbook. I drew surreal contraptions, characters and doodle pieces, soon after I sold my first few prints of some experimental studies using watercolour paint and ink.
- What art do you most identify with?
Personally, I find art that explores human psyche and emotion the most captivating. Abstract ideas like those are hard to describe in words, but by putting them onto a canvas they act like a mirror and reflect the ideas back onto their viewer. The beauty of it is that as all artists are different, they express their ideas in different ways, giving a great range of possibilities and outcomes.
- Can you describe one artwork or series from your oeuvre that you feel was pivotal in your career?
In 2020 I have spent considerable time working on a series of ink drawings depicting various imaginary scenes with ranging themes; the most recent looked at impossible geometry and perspectives. For one, they provided me with exposure as an artist, allowed me to meet some very unique artists, but most importantly helped me refine my abilities and allowed me to immerse myself in the ideas I like to explore.
- Which other great artists inspire you and why?
I feel like in today’s culture, with the internet and social media, it is much easier to discover inspiring artists from all around the globe, and I could say that the art community itself is inspiring. If I was to name artists, I’d say Salvador Dalí has been a major influence on me and my works due to his daring personality and beautiful dreamscapes. Furthermore, the French impressionist Edouard Cortes has inspired me with his use of vibrant colors that just bring life to his pieces. These are just a few of many influential artists who I respect for the work they make or have made.
- Can you talk about the process of creating your work?
Whenever I start a piece there’s a period where I just spend time looking at the blank paper or canvas, thinking about what the first move should be and what the consequences of it are. I find it is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. From the moment I put the first stroke down, the piece starts taking on shape and character which affects how it turns out overall. While I can be very methodical at times, I always have the need to innovate, experiment and break my own conventions.
- Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Learning about the different scientific disciplines has given me a level of appreciation for how certain things are structured and connected in nature; living organisms, energy and more. This has greatly inspired me to explore visual art as a form of expression of these connections and ideas.
- What is your dream project?
My dream project involves using a canvas bigger than me to make something truly memorable and captivating. I want it to be a passion project with more than one focal point. This is planned somewhere down the line, but hopefully sooner than later.
- Finally, are there any projects you are currently working on and able to speak about?
Recently I’ve taken a lot of interest in anatomy and portraiture. I’ve been making studies and soon will be transferring those onto canvas as complete pieces in my own style, while keeping the characteristics unique to the drawn people. This project is still in its infancy, but I am very excited to go down this path.
