Ernesto Cánovas

Q: Where are you from?

A: I am from Barcelona, but I always like to say that I’m Mediterranean - I love the culture, the sea, the palm trees and everything associated with it.

Q: What inspired you to be an artist?

A: I am inspired by everything around me all the time, but what inspired me to be an artist the most was the freedom of expression that comes with the creative way of life.

Q: What was the inspiration behind your first collection?

A: My first series was about nature and the reflection of human beings in the natural world. My first series at Halcyon Gallery, An American Trilogy (2014), was called after a song made popular by Elvis Presley in the 70's. It was inspired by the American Dream, a subject that still interests me greatly today. 

Q: Tell us about your artistic process?

A: I play with the appearing and disappearing image. I start with a photograph, either one of my own or one I have found that inspires me. I digitally manipulate the photo through a process involving reduction, magnification, and cropping. Most often, I transfer the manipulated image onto wooden panels, which I love, as the grain of the wood always comes into it and effects the way the colour distributes across the artwork. I then work directly onto the panels, building up layers with acrylic, ink and varnish to create a sense of depth, while still allowing an element of the original - the essence of the image - to show through. Sometimes to finish the artwork off I add splashes of colour, which I link to think represent a bit of hope.

Q: How has your artistic practice changed from your early days?

A: I would say the ability to immediately access information and imagery has impacted my practice the most. When I first started as an artist, we were living in a very analogue world which required a lot more research and time. Nowadays, we are bombarded with information constantly and this is something that informs the way I work today. I am evolving with the times.

Q: How do you know when a work is complete?

A: When a little voice in my head says ‘Go home! Leave the studio now before you over do it and mess it up!’

Q: What one piece of art had the biggest impact on you or your career?

A: I will try not to say El Guernica by Picasso and be a bit more original instead! But it is very difficult to name just one specific piece. However, I am a big fan of Japanese art, Ancient art and also Contemporary. Sigmar Polke is a contemporary artist that I admire a lot, so perhaps he has had the biggest impact.