Alexander Koch

Artist Statement

With a classical approach to colour and composition, in order to work with contemporary imagery, I make use of the conventions and techniques of the medium of painting, Juxtaposing known painting archetypes and themes with internal dreamscapes and forms of auto-fiction, I draw inspiration from past, present, and future in the pursuit of imagery.

I am predominantly interested in creating a meeting point between two or more subject matters of contrasting sources. I use this as a channelling point to make my way through the unpredictability of image-making, re-proposing an idea, and letting the image find its new set of rules. The characters in my paintings are a result of a conversational process with the medium.

I allow a stage for them to appear on, rather than the characters being my subject. The stage defined by my “Elements of Adoration” (recurring imagery that I can’t help but run into), from natural formations to dream-like scenarios that collapse and re-open on themselves.

Symbolically established characters appear in my work, suggesting struggle, resilience, and a search for belonging in the world. However, this is not the ancient world that Odysseus once wandered. While I draw from classical topics, my work interpellates them with references to contemporary culture from my own experience, such as the use of day to day clothing and storytelling in the manner of animation and video games. I place my characters in a dystopian version of the present day. These characters represent a spirit of youth both in head-strong naivety and the drive to constantly advance. To adapt and remould society into new forms by rhythms of thought.

- Alexander Koch