Ladislav Hubert

I am not gregarious but I have always been interested in the full spectrum of the arts not merely in paintings. The paintings of mine influenced by figurative painters are created with acrylics oil on panel or canvas. In painting, I intend to produce large paintings in a variety of styles and approaches. The style of my artwork is continually developing and this is one of the reasons that each one is totally unique and different. Figures, methods, composition solutions using classical methods are old styled but concept is contemporary. I respect all art forms. I believe each interpretation is sacrosanct to each individual artist. My originals have been exhibited at some galleries in Slovakia. I love to challenge my versatility. So, I went to London, a city - the centre of commerce, which spawned many of its most highly regarded artists, a city I had always fantasized about. I decided to work and live in this strange big city, not knowing a soul. I work in my studio, where I have lived permanently in London. The London lifestyle and feeling became important features of my work. There were other important changes in my work as well: I started using acrylics and I made increasing use of photography for purposes of documentation. I prefer working in oils, but have also mastered pastels, watercolours and coloured pencils to which I bring the same mastery of colour and light and darkness. The augurs of this revelatory art that would initially inspire my imagination would be found within the visionary and mystical art traditions and disseminated within the movements of Symbolism, Art Nouveau, Surrealism and Fantastic Art. As a young teenager it was Dali's "Nuclear Mysticism" that first captivated my imagination, then followed by the pre-eminent work of Ernst Fuchs, William Blake. And later as a young adult, the creative eye of my soul marvelled at the prodigious possibilities brought forth by the ominous visions of H.R. Giger. The kinship I felt with these artists gave me the conviction and hope that was vital during the initial development of my artistic skills and vision. Their mastery of technique combined with a clear and unique vision was certainly a prime motivating force. Above all, these revelatory artists, as well as many others, inspired my faith in the possibilities of what is yet to come in the art of the soul and spirit. So why have so few people heard of me? This is the question often asked by people on first confronting my work. The answer is very simple. I choose to live a bohemian existence, living as a virtual recluse and making recognition extremely difficult.

Biography: I am a qualified artist, graphic designer and pedagogue. I grew up in a rather normal, middle class family environment. Like most children I enjoyed children’s games, and was lucky in having the use of my father’s workshop where I could create - paint in my “various styles”. My family was a great encouragement to me, though they did not always understand the strange fascinations of their young son. I fast developed a fascination with all things dark and strange and later found inspiration form postcards and magazine photos featuring the works of William Blake, Albin Brunovsky, Ernst Fuchs and Hieronymus Bosch etc. My childhood preoccupation with dreams and imaginable worlds would soon lead me to the masters of imaginative painting. But it was not mere “fantasy” art that would call to me, but an art with particular revelatory power. I longed for an art that would contemplate the jewel of wisdom hidden within and reveal the glory and mystery of being, an art sublimed with grace and bearing, subtle. As a child, drawing gave me playful access to the exiting contents of fantasy and imagination. This playful communion with fantasy would later mature into the creative exploration of the patterns of my soul, and the celebration of the focus of life. I excelled in art and related subjects. In art classes I preferred to the given a free vein rather than still life or composition exercises. My teacher encouraged me to try and make use of my growing artistic talents. I started drawing at age 4 and eventually entered art centre at the age of 6 and took drawing classes and painting classes. After high school (gymnasium) I went on study … I soon expanded my network of friends to include those involved in various aspects of the art, and began drawing creatively. I studied art for five years at the University in Nitra, Slovakia where I received my university degree in art, but other than that, my misspent youth consisted of “drawing a lot, reading and collecting art books, going to art museums, and associating with a few other young art students”. It was during my time at University studying art that I became interested in figurative art at all. My first job after university was with Primary school where I worked as an art teacher. Teaching – I was teaching art with very good results. I have worked out a programme teaching drawing, painting integrating a variety of approaches apart from my own and based on a sequence of steps with the goal not only to encourage abilities but beyond that to help the students find their individual style and direction with certainty and quality. I enjoyed teaching very much. Teaching art, in my view, has to go beyond ticking off the knowledge of techniques that have been dealt with. I think that encouraging - but challenging – guidance, rather than enforcement of personal or current ideology – is the most constructive element in teaching. Although I was studying painting as my major at the time, I began to have more and more interest in graphic designs as well. I was offered a job at the local advertising agency but I was not convinced that this was my vocation. Eventually in 1995 I applied for a place and was accepted. I was given an “apprenticeship” meaning a gentlemen’s agreement with low wages and no guarantees. However, things improved and I found a pleasant atmosphere amongst the other employees with a minimum interference from the directors. I went on to learn the procedures of visualising, illustration, creative lettering, typography, card construction etc., and I learned about presentation and painting techniques. In the early 1990’s I burst upon the mainstream scene with an incredible explosion of talent and energy. In retrospect I am grateful for the disciplines I acquired at the agency, but at the time I felt my real creativity was being skilled. In my lunch hours I worked on private commissions. I also became famous at the agency for my uncomplimentary caricatures. By this point in my career, I was fed up and in 2001 I left the advertising world and began work as a freelance designer and an artist and at the same time, completed some early paintings.

Country: United Kingdom (Great Britain)

E-mail: art_hubert@yahoo.co.uk

Site: Ladislav Hubert