‘Reaching into the Subconscious’ by Tomasz Alen Kopera
In my work I try to reach to the subconscious. I want to keep the viewer’s attention for a longer moment. I would like the spectator to feel the need for a minute of quiet reflection and contemplation.
I usually get my ideas for new paintings in the least expected moments. The idea for new creation just appears in my head. Some ideas come from my wife, we like to sit and talk together for hours, and sometimes these chats then turn into new surprising creations. The most important and also most difficult part of creation is actually visualising the idea, seeing the subject in the eyes of my imagination. Very often while working on a painting, I see an idea for my next work.
I am fascinated by fire. To me it is the symbol of creation but it also acts as a purifying force – cleansing us of our sins, where new is born from old, where destruction is closely bound with resurrection, a symbol of change. I like to introduce all these aspects into my work.
When I paint, I like to work without any time constraints. I definitely do not like to be rushed. I usually start in the early morning when I am fresh and well rested and paint through the day. Having a clear mind during the process is of utmost importance for me.
The most important point is the beginning of the creative process. At this time I prefer to work in peace with no phone-calls, no talking, just a simple calmness. The first phase requires the most focus and concentration. I don’t do sketching, or do it very rarely and in a rough form; I simply start painting on canvas straight away. The initial idea then develops into clearer picture, sometimes even into a new and completely different idea. The initial creation is therefore also the most unsettled phase, as very often I get new ideas during that time, change things and add things. I start with one vision, but the final result can sometimes be completely different.
Music is one thing that is inherently connected with my creation. It plays a crucial role and goes together with my mood, depending on the particular work. I listen to everything from classical piano and orchestral, through to the more modern and very often heavy, dark music, not excluding gothic and heavy metal.
Sometimes the message of my work is very clear, I could give it a title, but I don’t do it, I do not want to name it, I prefer to leave it to the viewer. For them to read the message, to think about it, and perhaps for them to make their own title and story to that particular painting. Very often people ask me to talk about my art, but I always say, that if I could describe my paintings then I would not paint, but write. I cannot interpret my paintings with words; I don’t know how to do it. Therefore I paint, and I paint for this reason, so I don’t need to talk about it. It’s all about the message, and my message goes to the viewer not through the words but through the painting. This is also the reason that the majority of my paintings do not have a title. I leave this to the viewer.
