A Beauteous Conversation with Alexis Duque
Courtesy of the artist
Alexis Duque is a Columbian multi-disciplined artist, whose paintings, sculptures, and drawings have been exhibited both nationally in the USA and internationally throughout the world. Alexis's work has been exhibited at the Museum of Latin American Art, Praxis Gallery, The Empty Circle, Carlson Tower Gallery, and elsewhere. I got the honor to ask Alexis about when he knows a piece of artwork is finished, how using humor is important to his creative process, and what keeps him creative.
Your paintings and sculptures show such intense detail of lining and intertwining to make these amazing figures and images. What made you focus on putting such detail in that matter?
I create paintings of lush nature and improbable situations stacked and densely conglomerated into trippy, absurd portraits of imaginary beings. My compositions are detailed, meticulously depicted, and baroque. I use perspectival tricks and surrealistic overlapping to render uncanny imagery within a single form, sculpture, portrait, landscape, or world.
Have any artists from Colombia influenced your artwork?
There are many Colombian artists that I love and admire: Pedro Nel Gomez and his murals depicting social and political messages. Fernando Boteros’ exaggerated figures. Debora Arango’s poignant paintings full of controversial issues, and the fantastic imagination of the anonymous artists of the Chibcha, Tayrona, and Quimbaya indigenous civilizations.
“Green Comuna,” 2019 24x18 Inches Acrylic on canvas
How important is artistic and authentic storytelling in changing the narrative in what people commonly think about Colombia and Latin American countries?
Art and literature are good tools for social transformation. It challenges what people abroad think about Latin American countries where unfortunately in most of the continent including Colombia the good Art and literature Is always hard to find in the mass popular culture because the government which is always the owner of the TV, radio stations, and social media platforms is more interested in offering the best “opium” to the masses with soccer, reggaeton, soap operas, and tv news.
Colombia and Latin America as a whole have a long list of amazing artists and collections of great art that has been produced and being produced by artists such as yourself. What makes art being produced out of Latin America so unique?
Latin America is a melting pot of many races and cultures and all of them contributing to create diversity and originality.
“Red Mountain,” 2020 24 x18 Inches Acrylic on canvas
How do you know when your art is finished and to your liking?
I have to wisely decide the precise moment where to stop working on a specific piece. Otherwise, I can destroy what I am doing. That particular moment when I take this decision is very difficult and complicated to visualize in the creative flow.
What has been the most important exhibit of your career so far?
The best Exhibit is yet to come, hopefully soon!
Please Check my news section on my website, I love the group shows in which my work is included right now!
Why is using humor important to your creative process?
When you create a good work of art, it is similar to creating a nice food dish. You have many essential ingredients but a little bit of spice is always good to create the perfect taste and flavor.
“Hole,” 2020 16x12 Inches Acrylic on canvas
Your work is very detailed. How long does it usually take to make a piece?
Small paintings around a week and large paintings probably a month but it all depends on how I feel and how are my chakra energy levels and their synchronicity with the universe. Lol!
“Cabinet,” 2020 24 x18 Inches Acrylic on canvas
What is the most interesting aspect of art for you?
Art is my religion, my way of life, my philosophy, the place where I go to fight, where I have a platform to tell my own stories and find myself immersed in the universe with all my limitations as a human being but at the same time with all the limitless power and freedom that Art gives you.
What is the most important trait an artist should have?
Always look for that particular and unique vision that expresses your soul and spirit and that makes you a unique and irreplaceable human being.
“Portrait XI,” 2018, 60 x48 Inches, Acrylic on canvas
How do you keep creative?
It is always good to keep a balance in your daily routine. My paintings take a lot of attention and sometimes I have to spend a lot of time working on small detail, so I have to be recursive in order to not get bored. It is like always doing the same thing over and over but in a different way.
To find more about Alexis’s work please visit his site. Please follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
