Dimensions: 65 x 45 cm
signed l.d.: 'ALEN'
signed, dated and described on the reverse: 'Tomasz Alen Kopera | "C13" | 2013'.
Literature
"Through my works I try to affect the subconscious. I want to stop the viewer for a longer moment. To arouse in him the need for reflection, contemplation."
What he paints stems from a fascination with all things dark and mysterious, a fascination with wildlife, the world of fantasy and science fiction. I have also always enjoyed art with such themes. Therefore, I was greatly influenced by the works of such artists as Zdzislaw Beksinski, H. R. Giger, Caspar David Friedrich and Gustave Dore, among others. In his works, Tomasz "Alen" Kopera tries to act on the subconscious of viewers. He wants to hold their attention for a longer moment, to awaken in them the need for reflection and contemplation. As the artist himself admits, ideas for new paintings usually come at the least expected moments. Some of them are the ideas of the artist's wife. Several hours of conversations with his spouse often turn into new and surprising visions. The most important and at the same time the most difficult part of creation for Kopera is the visualization of the idea, looking at a given subject through the eyes of the imagination. On the other hand, very often while working on one painting, an idea for the next one appears "I am fascinated by fire. For me it is a symbol of creation and the action of a cleansing force that erases our sins. Where the new is reborn from the old, where destruction is closely linked to resurrection - as a symbol of transformation. I would like to depict all these aspects in my works." Source: Art Éclat - Where Dreams Become Art (English) The fascination with fire can also be seen in the featured painting. It shows two figures: a male and a female. The man whispers something in the woman's ear, causing her statuesque countenance to glow from within.
When he paints, Kopera doesn't like to have any time constraints, he definitely doesn't like to rush. She usually starts early in the morning, when she is rested, and continues working throughout the day. He likes to have a clear mind while creating, this is extremely important to him. The most important point in the creative process is the beginning. Kopera prefers to work in peace. He cuts himself off from the outside world. No phone calls, no conversations, silence and stillness is preferred. The first phase requires the most focus and concentration. The artist does not make sketches, he immediately starts painting on canvas. The initial idea is slowly transformed into a painting, sometimes it transforms into a completely new vision. That's why the initial phase of creativity is the most turbulent - very often new ideas and significant changes appear then. One starts with a certain vision, and the result can already be radically different.
One of the things inherent in Kopera's work is music. It plays a key role, going hand in hand with the mood depending on the specific stage of the work. The artist listens to everything from classical piano, orchestra to more modern, often heavy and dark music. Sometimes the message of his paintings is very clear, he could give them a title, but he doesn't. The artist is famous for the fact that, like the master Beksinski, he does not give titles to his works. He does so consciously. He doesn't want to name them, preferring to leave it to the viewer - so that he can read the message himself, reflect on it, give the work its own title, meaning and story. Observers often ask the artist to comment on his work, but he refuses. He constantly repeats that if he could describe his paintings he would - instead of painting - write stories about them. He doesn't do this because, he says, he can't interpret his paintings through words, he doesn't know how to do it. The most important thing in all this is the message. It is the one that reaches the viewer not through words, but through painting. A motif that often appears in his work is the human or humanoid. Captive, deformed, transformed. Why does the human figure become the most important actor in Kopera's world? This is because the subject matter of most of his paintings is about man. His desires, sorrows and fears. Sometimes other beings also appear. For example, angels symbolize purity and goodness in the artist's work. Sometimes in his work he also appears as a protector or guardian who has to deal with various adversities. Kopera also paints the form of wings as a symbol of freedom - the desire to liberate oneself from something.
Art brings Kopera fulfillment and satisfaction. Although he is a civil engineer by training, he has always leaned towards art. It's something he can't function without. Often while painting, he listens to music, of various genres. It all depends on his mood. Ranging from classical, film music to alternative music to heavy dark sound. Of literature, he prefers fantasy, fantasy and horror. Kopera mostly paints with oil paints on canvas. He is inspired by man, nature and the mysteries of the universe. His paintings contain a lot of symbols. They often deal with the human psyche and the relationship between man and the universe around him. Many of the artist's works are maintained in an atmosphere of darkness and mystery.
Biography
He graduated from the University of Technology in Wroclaw, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. He realizes oil works on canvas, and human nature and the mysteries of the universe are his inspiration. His paintings are interspersed with symbols that often relate to the human psyche and man's relationship with the world around him. In 2005 he moved to Northern Ireland, where he currently lives. Since 2010, he has been a member of the libellule group formed by Lukas Kandel.
