GA: It was chosen because it evokes a sense of beauty and wonder. I thought that it sounded like a beautiful title and it relates to the imagery of lights and stars, a recurring motif in my paintings.
GA: When I was a young boy, I started using watercolour on paper with a small palette. I began with that and then progressed to more advanced techniques. Eventually, I grew tired of copying images in books and began creating my own art from my imagination. I started painting professionally in 2014-2015 after completing my BFA in 2012-2013. At first, things were slow and I wasn't sure what to do. However, by 2015, my work started getting attention and I realised that if I kept working hard and stayed focused, I could make a career out of it.
GA: I first decide on the tool I want to use, the colours I want to incorporate and the texture I want to create. Sometimes I apply a very thin layer of paint to add ambiguity and depth to the painting. This technique involves letting the paint flow freely on the canvas, creating a thin layer. While this layer isn't the final product, it adds a lot of tonal depth when combined with different layers of colour. I experimented with different techniques when I was younger, such as using a blue and white palette to paint a blue sky.
I have two assistants in the studio who help with mixing colours and clean brushes, but I will also paint them as life-models onto the canvas, the figures in the paintings are partly based on their form and in part from my own imagination.
GA: This started because I allowed the paint to drip freely onto the canvas whilst I was working outside. I build up many layers of oil paint for the background, I use up to three different colours and layer them on top of each other over the course of several days. After a week, the layers create a unique texture, tone and colour, sometimes I am surprised by the effect and sometimes I arrive at a colour that doesn't need changing, and I wouldn't have achieved it without the layers of colour beneath.
GA: I like using bright colours, simply because I like them, it doesn't have any deeper meaning or reason behind it. Bright colours can bring happiness.
GA: Personally, I believe that I have a great eye for composition, as I am always looking for interesting moments and settings, not just focusing on figures. It's about having the ability to choose what works well together and creates a visually pleasing composition. I always keep an eye out for interesting sights and scenes that I can use for inspiration.
GA: This painting I created in 2021 was the first one to go too derivative for me, so I placed it aside and started on other ideas. As you can see, I have many ideas that come to mind, and I enjoy experimenting with different materials, such as chalkboard paper. Some of the resulting works are more interesting than others, and require more effort to develop. If I am able to do this successfully, I may end up with 16 good pieces out of 20 attempts. It's also about combining elements in unique and unexpected ways. It's a beautiful concept that I will continue to explore further. I believe that some pieces will need more time to fully develop and be ready for display, perhaps in 10 or 20 years time.
GA: From a technical standpoint, I believe that a good painting should be appreciated by others as well. When I exhibit my work, I am interested in hearing people's opinions about it. In terms of the recent show, I think the message was conveyed effectively. Personally, I am still exploring and trying to figure out many things about my own work. I am not entirely sure what everything means, and it depends on the context. I am open to interpretation and feedback.
