An artist who is drawing a dream, Eddy Bogaert 팝 아티스트, 에디 보게르트를 만나다

Pictures by Eddy Bogaert

Throughout his life, Eddy Bogaert has been surrounded with a diverse cultural heritage and experienced life in many countries around the world. His art is like his life, and is rich with many layers which add a deep complexity to his artwork; full of diverse experiences, influences and contrasting aesthetics. In his mixed media creations, Eddy draws inspiration from high fashion street art, glamorous city nightlife and pop-culture. He embeds magazine covers, comp cards from fellow models, as well as editorial images.
His artwork has variety of techniques including combines, collage, spray painting and Jackson Pollock-style splatter painting. Never formally trained, his modern approach and visual aesthetic have led him to be compared to such contemporary artists as Mr. Brainwash and Sam Fransis. Yet his style is unique and enlivening; it is currently receiving a lot of attention in the New York City art scene.

평범한 바덴터에서 런웨이를 휘젓는 모델이 되기까지의 시간은 찰나의 순간이었다. 그 순간을 위해 에디 보게르트는 모든 것이 낯선 뉴욕에서 새로운 도전을 해야만 했다. 하지만 그에게 작은 변화가 생겨났다. 최근 몇 년 전부터 런웨이에 서는 시간 보다 손에 붓을 쥐고 있는 시간이 늘어나기 시작한 것. 채 발산하지 못했던, 그리고 아직까지도 모르고 있었던 웅크린 내면의 감정을 그림으로 풀어내고 있는 에디 보게르트. 미디어, 페인트, 스틸, 아크릴 등 다양한 오브제를 사용해 매스미디어의 숨겨진 이면을 끄집어내고 있는 에디 보게르트. 현란한 작품만큼이나 강렬한 외모로 주목 받는 팝 아티스트, 에디 보게르트를 컬쳐엠매거진이 만났다.

What’s your style of art called?

I like to describe it as “chaotic balance.” At first glance, it may appear to be random and without direction, but as you let the painting envelope your senses you will find that a subtle balance begins to emerge.

What I usually say is, my art is based on many things, but—one theme I would like to elaborate on is about how when someone meets someone else for the first time, they met their “representative.” Very few times do we meet the true person…people are usually wearing a mask, which in acting is called “the public persona.” I use this in my art. With regular light, one can see my work as one-dimensional. One doesn’t get the full effect of the art until the black light goes on.

The black light represents the inner person, the truth. With the black light, one can see the art with more detail. It pops out from the canvas, almost like 3-D; and something you could see before disappears, and new things appear. It’s the darker yet more interesting side of the human mind. And when the lights are off, one can see a subliminal message…of the duality of humanity, bringing to mind public personas and pop icons

Where have you shown your artwork?

In all honesty, I have not shown at a gallery … yet. Some of the smaller venues which have hosted my shows include: Loftwoods, which is an amazing photography studio owned by Michael Eisenberg; a few fashion stores in New York City, such as Y-CLAD Jewelry Store and The French Corner; and recently, I had a show at Subject, which is a bar in the Lower East Side and at Exchange Alley in the East Village. I am really excited about my upcoming show during Art Basel at Eden Roc Hotel in South Beach.

What techniques do you use to create your paintings? and When you use images of a model, what makes you choose that face or particular girl? 

I would say the only technique I use is my emotion. I believe that we are not always who we say we are. People tend to hide behind their layers. In my art, I am focusing on revealing these layers. And, usually their beauty draws me to them. Most of my art has an undertone of sexual attraction, passion and desire; so I choose the images according to my own preferences and what intrigues or arouses me.

How long have you been painting?

I have been painting more and more seriously during the last two years, as a result of many people enjoying it and encouraging me to dedicate more time for my art. I must admit that I was never pursuing art as a career. Usually, I would find a reason to express myself through painting and give them as gifts to my friends. When people started to offer to buy my work, well that helped me become more serious about my art. I have studied a lot of street art here in New York City, and other urban settings; it serves as a source of inspiration and gives me a willingness to explore different mediums, colors and forms. My first memory of picking up a paint brush was when I was about six years old, so I think I’ve always had a passion for art and creating beauty in my own unique way.

You said your artwork tells stories. Are the stories your experiences or models?

The stories are mine; what I am feeling, my thoughts and the emotions that surround me as I am painting. I have a diverse cultural heritage and have experienced life in many countries around the world. My art is like my life and is rich with many layers, which add a complexity to my work. My work uses a variety of techniques. With their complex layers, the paintings have discreet subliminal messages. These can be seen under certain lighting conditions if one is paying close attention.