Artist talk with Lugas Elias
'apfelgurl mit spikes', 2019
Acrylic on canvas
60x90cm
Tell us about yourself.
Hey :) I'm Lugas Elias, I'm a painter based in Germany. I reinterpret conventional painting media according to my ideas by dealing with all the materials used in the process. Whether it's the canvas cover, the frame processing or my own handling of painting materials. I examine how materials can be improved for the right purpose and try to develop new methods, destroy conversant processes and work as an autodidact.
I do not act deliberately in a rebellious way, but go my path, regardless of external circumstances, others opinions and the norm.
'hufeisenbahn', 2020
Acrylic, pens, nail polish on canvas
40X30cm
Where did your passion for art begin?
Already in my early childhood, painting and drawing were the main parts of my life. However, overtime it became more and more evident that for me it was not just a meaningful occupation - but rather a kind of determination, which I then followed more attentively and consciously.
Then, I got a place at the University of Art in various ways without the candidature, where I have been studying for over 4 years on the side.
But for me, the interest was always stronger - to create - than to deal, fundamentally with art. Although for years it wasn't a close look or a context with art for me.
I just did it, without any ulterior motives and regardless of a focus what it was exactly. And thereby i gained years of experience even before i actually started as an aspiring artist.
How would you describe your work to someone?
I abstract my own thoughts into something and try to capture it. I don't really want to say what it is either. But to put it simply - i would say my works appear cheeky, childishly playful, a bit rebellious and offer plenty of room for personal interpretation.
'gas weht', 2020
Acrylic and varnish on canvas
60x80cm
What are you currently working on?
At the moment besides painting, i'm doing more of the "business" stuff. So contact galleries, try to reach more people. Handle paperwork for a gallery to become a part of it. Otherwise just paint as usual - still work and study on the side. And I do hand-poked tattoos on my body.
When you start a new work or project, do you plan what you’re going to create or do you improvise?
I usually start intuitively. Then I paint until I get an association with it myself, which I then try to consolidate. The problem is (shouldn't sound conceited, please) - that I have (too) many ideas and that there would always be several possibilities in which direction the painting could develop. But that's why I partly started to put several ideas into one picture. So of course I don't just work like that. Sometimes there is a picture in my head beforehand or (very, very rarely) a sketch. I also wrote down ideas for a while. But these notes are always destroyed after the time. Not because the concepts weren't good, but I just want to deal with my impulses - that I have right now. Don't implement past ideas - just because they are „good and would work“. I actually do a lot anyway. Basically I'm just doing something "current" for myself.
The main thing is not always the same. Not being too confident with the familiar.
Can you highlight some of your influences and discuss how your influences have made an impact on you and your practice?
Not really. My ideas usually just come by themselves. Or act more like a flash of inspiration or a memory that has been forgotten. So of course I'm influenced / inspired. But these are actually just simple things around me. Partly, really nothing. The thoughts arise automatically. Even where I work - flows into the work.
So really - nothing special. I don’t have a particular source from which I get my inspiration. It is also part of my work - to act independently of external influences ( as far as possible ).
'kaputter regenschirm', 2021,
Acrylic and canvas
60x80cm
What are your plans for the remainder of this year?
I would like to take a little vacation somewhere by the water :)