Alexander Yulish, “Two Faces Neither Are Mine”, Acrylic on canvas, 10′ x 16′.
In an exciting new show at the renowned Ace Gallery in Beverly Hills, artist Alexander Yulish expressively uncovers an interior life of the mind. His vibrantly colorful paintings portray people in joy and pain, disjointed and confused, but comically alive existing as art. Yulish says, “The title Immovable Thoughts came from a quote by Richard Strauss. ‘Even the pain I feel in your absence lies buried beneath Immovable thoughts.’ I felt the show was about an inner dialogue that could not be shaken and that was filled with an intimate point of view from my life.”
While Yulish had been given the freedom to paint in his natural style and not discuss the works during his process of preparation for the show, Ace Gallery founder Douglas Chrismas had suggested, “‘Paint your heart out and push yourself to do the best work possible,’” says Yulish. The dynamic works are made with acrylic and ink, and are wildly creative and insightful – like a cross between Soutine and Klee – they dance through our subconscious and back out into the universe at large. Without question, Yulish is correct in describing himself as a Neo-Modernist, since the artist’s individuality explodes. Nonetheless his disassociated concepts, worked seamlessly into each total picture, implies that the “right” way we consider our inner worlds may in fact be all wrong.
“Overall I just consider myself a painter just trying to find my own voice in this world.”
The paintings in Immovable Thoughts are serious, compelling and laced with a lot of humor, such as in “Two Faces, Neither Are Mine”, and “Sitting With Delores”. Says Yulish, “‘Two Faces, Neither Are Mine’ is a painting about the need to be seen and not seen at the same time. It’s about holding it together while losing yourself all at once. It’s filled with an intimate struggle, which I deal with everyday. How I fit into this world. It’s not a self-portrait by any means just an emotional universal dialogue. While another painting, “Kalopsia” means the delusion of things being more beautiful than they are. This I feel is something that is so strong in our society. People tend to feel more entitled than ever before. It’s a subconscious painting about living in this way.”
Alexander Yulish, “Kalopsia”, 2015, Acrylic on canvas. 48″ x 62″.
Initially trained by his artist mother Barbara Pearlman, Yulish has developed an instinctive connection to his art, allowing a sense of balance and spontaneity to be harmoniously incorporated into the works. Yulish paintings have some of the strong neo-Expressionist graphic qualities and colors of Basquiat, however they fall into more of an illustrative style. “The only thing I care about is that it’s an honest painting with a strong point of view,” says Yulish, “and that it’s balanced. Anything else is a gift. It’s about being present and taking risks.”
For Yulish, artistic equilibrium comes from taking the risk, enjoying the flight, and addressing challenges while having faith in one’s skills. “When you are painting you strive for unpredictability,” says Yulish. “It reminds me of when you slip on ice but just before you slam on the ice you regain your balance. This unpredictability is what draws me to paint. Keeping your balance in a painting is what I strive for. The better the painting the closer I come to falling but I regain my balance at the last second.”
Alexander Yulish, “The Great Fire”, 2015, Acrylic on canvas, 6′ 6″ x 7′.
While some artists are fascinated by the response collectors have to their paintings, Yulish prefers to not take other’s comments too seriously. His motto is: “Just do the work and take as many risks as you can and you will get grounded. The rest is not necessary. The struggle of being human is always in the work and there is a lot of humor in the paintings.”
When asked what he would want people to experience in his works, Yulish says: “I would want them to see reflections of who they are and what they feel in this world. Also, to see a universal struggle and to leave the show inspired to be alive.”
Immovable Thoughts is showing at Ace Gallery through November 25, 2015.
All images courtesy of Ace Gallery, ©Alexander Yulish.
