Getting to know… Alessia Levonique

"Pure Days: Art & Life" Art Exhibition
Interview by SPRMRKT

Singagpore contemporary hyper-realism artist Alessia Levonique

* All interviews were presented by SPRMRKT, and reproduced with their permission.

We catch up with Alessia Levonique of Art Is Gallery & Artist Studio to discuss her journey in becoming a Singapore-based practicing artist, obsession with hyper-realism and projects in the pipeline.

1) Your bio mentions that you had a fascination with oil painting from a very young age - why didn't you decide to study fine art as your first degree?

Although I love arts, I didn't pursue it then because my parents advised that it was not a practical path to take in life. They wanted me to take accounting and finance instead. I must say I was 17 then and lacked conviction perhaps about my passion so I went ahead and took a business course to make my parents happy. No one in my family is in the creative or artistic field, so it was a really difficult and long process to be one in my family.

2) How did you find Art Is Studio? What made you decide to take up a course at the studio?

I came across Art Is art courses when I decided to pursue art and attended them at NAFA. It's not easy to find a good teacher especially in arts, so I guess I'm really lucky to have found one that actually helped me in pursuing this passion of mine.

I knew I wanted to do realistic paintings since the very beginning and he helped me to acquire this skill to paint hyper-realistic paintings - something I thought I could have only dreamed of.

4) What was different about your mentor's teaching methods that made you decide to join his courses at his studio and continue to pursue this passion in the arts?

In a way, his teaching methods are different. He really teaches people how to develop observational skills and techniques of drawing and paintings. Too many instructors now only encourage you to dabble on colours and paint what you want with zero grounding on what you are doing. I like to draw this analogy about music and arts: Like in music, you can't master an instrument till you know the scales and techniques and the same goes for paintings, you can't master a medium till you know colours and techniques.

5) How were you exposed to oil painting when you were younger? What was it about oil painting that fascinated you?

Hmm I can't remember exactly but I think I went to the museum or perhaps saw pictures of famous paintings. But I was deeply impressed with Monet and still life paintings.

6) What was the turning point of your decision to pursue art despite graduating with a finance degree?

I think it was a calling. I was pretty lost and unhappy in life so I wanted to find my own way.

7) Why hyper-realistic paintings in particular?

I love the idea of three dimensionality being achieved in a two dimension paintings. A bit like trompe l'oeil. It is also a challenge for every painting painter to be able to try to mimic nature and bring it to life.

Examples of the art technique, trompe l'oeil or "deceive the eye":

Alessia Levonique -  contemporary hyper-realism artist in Singapore
The Chatsworth House violin by Jan van der Vaardt is actually painted on the door.

The Crevasse - Edgar Muller - contemporary art
The Crevasse by Edgar Muller was a large-scale 3D pavement painting that transformed a huge slice of the East Pier into a dramatic ice age scene.

8) How long did you take to create each piece in Pure Days: Art & Life and what was the process like?

At least 8 months to a year. But sometimes I still will touch up the paintings should I find it not satisfactory to what I want to achieve.

  • Cherries: hyper-realistic oil painting, Singapore contemporary art and art class Cherries
    Oil painting on canvas, 153 x 122 cm
    Still Life Hyper-Realism Photo-Realism
  • Red Gems: photo-realistic oil painting, Singapore contemporary art and art class Red Gems
    Oil painting on canvas, 76 x 102 cm
    Still Life Hyper-Realism Photo-Realism
  • Red Rubies: photo-realistic oil painting, Singapore contemporary art and art class Red Rubies
    Oil painting on canvas, 76 x 102 cm
    Still Life Hyper-Realism Photo-Realism

9) Are you working on something new now?

Yes I'm always working on something. For now there's more still life of fruits in progress and planning to do flowers as well.

  • Hyper-realistic oil painting work in progress by Singapore contemporary artist Alessia Levonique WIP!

10) Where do you see yourself in 5 years and what would you be doing?

That's a tricky question. I think no matter what I'll still be painting no matter where the journey takes me in life.

More of Alessia's work can be found on her website.

Pure Days: Art & Life will be on show at SPRMRKT till 26 July. Print editions are also available for viewing upon request - email contactus@sprmrkt.com.sg.


"Pure Days: Art & Life" Exhibition

SPRMRKT
2 McCallum St, Singapore 069043
www.sprmrkt.com.sg

Alessia, Liu ling and Tracy are Singapore contemporary artists who believe that Art in its purest form is intrinsically linked to Life. Art and Life : intertwined with each other yet strongly independent in its expression and form. Beauty, when manifests in its natural state inspires us. We try to discover Beauty in the ordinary for there is beauty in everything ,but not everyone senses it. As Artists, we try to represent, understand and capture the importance of such simplicity in this ordinary. Yet, such thoughts do not belong to us; they are not ours to keep.

We allow inspiration to take a life of its own; and together with the Art we create, it becomes ours to share.

Art brings us to places and emotions. Through our works we wish to take you to these moments: to stir and awake sentiments of peace, calmness and tranquility; to remind one to see through the noise in our over stimulated society.

Pause, take a moment with us and let our Art live within you.

We feel life can be pure and simple , join us and rediscover Life with fresh eyes.

 

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