Explore Art with Kanvas.ai's Artists - Vol. 2

Justin Durães-West - Contemporary Contrast

Who you are and what are your mediums?

Justin Durães-West. Large scale contemporary paintings in acrylic on canvas.

Explain your subjects/themes in 5 sentences.

I hope art lovers can recognise the theme of “Contrast” in my work, "the state of being surprisingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association. As in life; light, darkness, form, feeling, day, night, sea, sky; the contrast allows us to measure experience.

What is your background?

Studied painting at Central Saint Martins in London, degree in Furniture Design and a Post Graduate in Education.

What role does The Artist have in society?

Observer.

How has your practice changed over time?

I have become more free.

What jobs have you done other than being an artist?

Security driver for Saudi Royal family, teacher, surf coach and property developer.

What film, music or book has inspired you?

Currently Jordie Fornies, composer/musician.

What changes does the art world need?

I think when an artist needs to explain his work in writing he should be a novelist not a visual artist.

What would you like to do better?

Exhibit in the international arena.

Should art be funded?

I am a capitalist.

What role does arts funding have?

I think creativity should be better funded at the school level.

What superpower would you have and why?

Really? Hahahah ok, obviously the ability to enable happiness in people.

What will your next exhibition be?

Currently organising with a gallery in Évora & another in Lisbon, Portugal.

Where your last exhibition was?

MAU | Urban Art Museum, Taguspark, Lisbon, Portugal.

When did you realize that you wanted to be a full time artist?

Full time is a difficult proposition as I have many interests that divide my time.

What is your dream project?

To finish building my studio and work from there on huge paintings.

Name three artists you’d like to be compared to.

Mark Rothko, Clifford Styl and Jackson Pollock.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

To go for it, thanks to my wife Rita.

Professionally, what’s your goal?

To be internationally recognised as a quality painter and artist.

What are your thoughts about AI art?

All things are possible and interesting to me, I am open to all.