Alexandra Gallagher
OCA, Painting BA Hons, 2015
DegreeArt.com Artist since 2013
1) Which art movement do you consider most influential on your practice?
I would say surrealism. I've always had a love for the surrealism movement* as it encompasses so much.
*Surrealism is a cultural movement that began in the early 1920s, and is best known for its visual artworks and writings. The aim was to "resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality". Artists painted unnerving, illogical scenes with photographic precision, created strange creatures from everyday objects and developed painting techniques that allowed the unconscious to express itself.
2) Where do you go and when to make your best art?
I have a studio space in my house which is really handy. I can create at anytime. I don't feel there’s a time I really switch off from creating, I'm constantly thinking and working on something, dipping in and out, so it's tricky to say when I create my best art. Although my best ideas normally come to me in the middle of the night.
This year I've had the opportunity to also work on walls, which I've loved. I find making a piece of art work for a space I've been given challenging and exciting. Making it work fit within it's surroundings, brings a new level to the work. It can change how it's seen. I have new walls lined up for next year, which I'm really looking forward to.
3) How do you describe your 'creative process'?
Rather than using a sketch book, I use a note book and write things down. I make lots of lists. I then often sketch using Photoshop. I find this easier and quicker to convey the many ideas I have, as my mind jumps around all over the place, often ending in a different result than originally intended.
I use a lot of found imagery to create my pieces - collaging them together, then reworking into them with oil paint, spray paint, mixed media. Part of my conceptual work is finding images through internet search engines - Little snippets of peoples lives. I like to use these to create new narratives that the original author did not intend.
4) Which artist, living or deceased, is the greatest inspiration to you?
Wow, I always get asked this question and always find it super hard to answer as there's so many. I'm always looking at art and I love and appreciate most genres. I'm constantly absorbing and learning from other artists... I'm also intimated and in awe too! Because I'm always looking, my answer each time I get asked this question is always different. Early on in my career I produced portraits and worked mostly in oil paint, artist Jenny Saville was my biggest influence then, along with my father who is also an artist and taught me how to use paint. He taught me how to do rip - off Monet's as a teenager.
I've always loved low brow art, I like the humour of it and at the moment I'm in awe of Hannah Yata's work. I recently had the pleasure of working with her while I was curating a show and her work is truly stunning. I ended up buying a couple of her prints, because I really didn't want to let them go.
Alexandre Coll was most influential in my collage work, I came across his work while studying for my degree. His pieces are just beautiful and feel like they should be front covers of Asimov books.
5) If you weren't an artist, what would you do?
Apart from a brief moment in 1985 when I wanted to be a pop star, dressed as a punk, I've always wanted to be an artist. As cliché as that sounds, it's true. I always said one day when I grow up I want to be an artist... I'm still working on both growing up and being an artist and totally blagging my way through both!
6) What do you listen to for inspiration?
Like art, I also like most genres of music. I can start the day with classical and by the end of the day be listening to some old school hip hop. At the moment I seem to be switching through Soley, Led Zeppelin and Funkadelic - Maggot Brain.
7) Which 3 artists would you collect work by if money was no object?
I have a list that’s ever growing of artists I'd like to eventually commission or buy pieces from. But if money was no object at all, then I think a Monet for sentimental reasons, a Gustav Klimt as I have always loved his work and one of Benjamin Cohen's early pieces.
8) If your dream museum or collection owner came calling, which would it be?
To be honest I think it's an honour for anyone to want to show my work or buy it. It's not something I've thought about.
9) What is your key piece of advice for artists embarking on a fine art or creative degree today?
Work your butt off. Believe in yourself. Be humble. Have a thick skin. Don't be over pretentious or take yourself to seriously.
"Work your butt off. Believe in yourself. Be humble. Have a thick skin. Don't be over pretentious or take yourself to seriously."
10) What is your favorite book of all time (ficton or non fiction)?
Hmm... I think I would say a collection of William Blake's poetry.
11) If you could hang or place your artwork in one non traditional art setting, where would that be?
I think I'd like it projected onto places/spaces in an urban environment. Maybe a collage of images that are projected to create a piece of art you can walk into.
12) What was the biggest lesson your university course or time studying taught you?
To always keep learning.
13) And finally, if we were to fast forward 10 years, where would we find you?
Travelling with my husband, while creating artwork all over the world. That’s where I'd like to be. I had kids really young, so I'd like a new adventure. They'll have their own lives in a few years time, so it seems the perfect thing to do!
