"The world should give everyone the right to free thinking and creativity, because they are man's most powerful weapons. Stop investing in weapons of mass destruction, it is against our evolution." - Liviu Mihai
Interview: Liviu Mihai about art and the upcoming exhibition in Cologne
Liviu Mihai was featured in the 2018 Saatchi Art Catalog as one of the top 9 emerging artists to invest in, according to Saatchi Art Chief Curator Rebecca Wilson. The artist places the development of the object in the pictorial processing in the foreground of his works. The contemporary artist therefore sees “change” as obligatory. Liviu Mihai’s paintings can mainly be assigned to existentialism.
The Lanford Gallery in Cologne opens in 2 days. The first exhibition features artworks by Richard Orlinski and Liviu Mihai, the Romanian artist Liviu Mihai took the time to answer our questions before the exhibition.
Liviu Mihai Interview
Where are you right now, how are you doing and what are you currently working on?
I am currently in Bucharest and I am waiting for spring to come. It seems we need to wait a little longer, there are cold temperatures here, just like winter, although it’s March. Usually when I set up an exhibition I focus more on that and take a break from the creation process. Breaks are welcome for me, it gives me time to recharge, in order to come back stronger.
Thank you for your time. For those who don’t know you yet – how would you describe your art yourself?
In the middle of my creation is the ‚human‘, but not from an anatomical perspective but rather social, political, historical or from a very personal point of view that has to do with my life. Many of the scenes found in my paintings, are moments in which I took part directly or indirectly, in general my creations are related to me. I tried to go to a more abstract area but the figurative always drew me to it. In many of my paintings, I am somewhere between figurative and abstract, I would say. The work and creation are based quite a lot on a certain emotion, that the subject transmits to me.
On March 18th the Lanford Gallery in Cologne will open and your works will be part of the first exhibition. Can you tell what visitors can expect?
I assume that art lovers will be present, I hope that my art will get the interest of the public in Cologne. I will be present at the opening of the exhibition and I will have the opportunity to talk personally with the guests.
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Are further exhibitions planned in Germany?
Not at the moment, but I hope to have other projects in Germany in the near future.
What has been your best feedback so far?
I couldn’t tell you precisely but I can say that the people who follow me and encourage me are very important.
…. and your toughest criticism?
Someone called me a ‚communist‘, just because I approached a theme inspired by the communist period in Romania. But he did not understand that I had a historical and critical ironic approach …
What does art mean to you?
Art and creativity of any kind is for me one of the expressions that define man. We are the creation that continues to create. In the social systems where art and creation have been strangled, we are talking here about totalitarian regimes, these systems have become impoverished, brutal, ugly, devoid of the beauty of free thought. We have nothing to offer to humanity and ourselves, as long as we cannot freely express our creativity.
Can art do everything or are there limits?
The curve is so wide that it looks like a straight line. Because our perception is limited, art will be limited ? Art can’t really do anything, man does everything …
Do you have any advice for beginners/ younger artists?
I would advise them to completely merge with their art, to become obsessed. Maybe it’s the only time the obsession brings something good.
Who should definitely not buy your art?
I think those who buy art to match the sofa and the wallpaper in the room. Who does not appreciate the work of art as having a unique identity.
What must absolutely not be made public about you?
I hope they never find out I’m an undercover spy :))
Imagine we were a big magazine – the New York Times or something like that, what else would you like to say to the world?
The world should give everyone the right to free thinking and creativity, because they are man’s most powerful weapons. Stop investing in weapons of mass destruction, it is against our evolution.
I think there is nothing more to add. A nice final word! – I wish you a nice opening and I’m looking forward to your next projects!
More Informations
Liviu Mihai on Saatchi Art: https://www.saatchiart.com
Website: The Art of – Liviu Mihai
More about the „Lanford Gallery“ – https://lanford.art/
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