From Minimalism to Complexity: The Journey of my "Life Full"
I often share posts about general contemporary art, a topic I hold close to my heart and one that fuels my passion for exploring the ways creativity intersects with the human experience. Today, however, I want to get into more my own world of artistic creation. I am beginning a series of posts dedicated to my own artworks, a journey through my process, thoughts, and emotional landscape. Let me start with my latest piece, titled "Life Full."
Antonino La Vela - Life Full
The Concept Behind "Life Full"
"Life Full" is an oil painting on canvas that marks a significant chapter in my exploration of color, form, and the emotional currents that drive my creative practice. At first glance, the work might seem an explosion of forms and hues, a maze of abstract geometry intertwining with vivid colors that flow across the surface, but it began from an entirely different place, one of quiet contemplation and minimalism. I want to share with you how this journey unfolded, and how this canvas went from simplicity to the almost overwhelming complexity that now characterizes it.
The Evolution of Intent
When I initially conceived of "Life Full," my intent was to create something rooted in minimalist abstraction, a few deliberate lines, a select palette of colors, and plenty of open space for reflection. My starting point was born from the need for clarity and simplicity in an increasingly cluttered world. I wanted the work to breathe, to evoke serenity and emptiness, and to bring a sense of peace to the viewer.
But, as so often happens in the creative process, my intentions evolved, or rather, unraveled, as I became increasingly consumed by the work. Layer by layer, the composition grew, forms multiplied, colors deepened, and the empty spaces shrank under the weight of new ideas and emotions. The original minimalist concept gave way to something richer, more complex, and more chaotic, almost against my will. There was a sense of urgency that pushed me to fill every corner of the canvas, to deny emptiness, and to embrace a visual language that was more baroque in nature, one that refused simplicity and welcomed contradiction.
A Deeply Introspective Transformation
This transformation was not merely aesthetic; it was deeply introspective. As I painted, I found myself grappling with a kind of disillusionment that has been brewing within me. The disillusionment with the way humanity has evolved, the indifference, the superficiality, the fractured connections. I started to feel that simplicity was a luxury we could no longer afford. The more I painted, the more I wanted the canvas to reflect the sheer density of thoughts, emotions, and experiences that characterize modern existence.
In that sense, "Life Full" became a rejection of the emptiness that often feels imposed upon us. I did not want any part of the painting to remain untouched, to leave space for thoughts that could lead to despair. Instead, every detail is a statement, a burst of life, a refusal to let emptiness take hold. The forms intertwine, they push against one another, they dance across the canvas in defiance of silence and nothingness. Each line, each color, each intricate pattern is a conscious decision to embrace fullness, a fullness of feeling, of thought, of life.
The Baroque Mind
There is something inherently baroque about the end result, the intricate detailing, the overwhelming sense of movement, the interplay of light and color that draws the eye from one part of the canvas to another. It is a celebration, but also a lament, a way of capturing both the beauty and the chaos of being human. It is a work that mirrors my own shifting perspectives, my own struggles and hopes, my disappointments, and my resilience.
The Meaning of "Life Full"
To me, "Life Full" is an embodiment of the tension between what I wish the world could be, a place of simplicity, clarity, and kindness, and what it often is, a cacophony of contradictions, complexity, and, at times, a struggle for meaning. In filling the canvas, I found a way to assert that even within the noise, there is beauty to be found, and even in the chaos, there is something worth holding onto.
An Invitation to Reflect and Connect
As you look at this work, I want you to take your time, really take in every detail, every intersection of lines, every clash and harmony of color. Imagine yourself standing in front of this canvas, letting your eyes wander, letting your mind open. What feelings arise? What stories emerge from these shapes and shades? I invite you to reflect on your own experiences, your own fullness of life. This painting is not just mine, it is also yours, if you choose to engage with it, if you allow it to speak to you.
Art has the power to transform us, and "Life Full" is a piece that transformed me as I created it. Each brushstroke became a decision to fill the emptiness, to embrace both the beauty and the disorder of human existence. It became a journey of understanding, of pushing against my own limits and expressing my discontent with the world as I see it, while also celebrating its complex and rich layers.
I hope that "Life Full" resonates with you. Perhaps it will remind you of the fullness of your own life, the moments of light and dark, the tensions and resolutions, the beauty that often emerges from chaos. This is only the beginning of the journey I want to take you on, sharing not just the finished pieces but the thoughts, emotions, and personal conflicts that shape them.
Art is a conversation, and I invite you to be part of mine. Please feel free to share your thoughts, whether they are about this painting or about your own reflections. Let's create a dialogue that bridges the gap between artist and viewer, and together, let's explore what it means to live a life that is truly full.
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment