When we speak about abstract art we usually imagine a splash of colors and forms, swirling shapes, an array of colorful patterns... Abstract art has been with us for almost a century now and has proved to be a vital tradition of creativity. As a legitimate art form, abstract art judgment was settled more than a century ago. As we know it is something detached from reality, it is about form, color, line, texture, pattern, composition and process. These are the qualities of artwork because they describe what the art looks like and how it is created. A beautiful thing about - abstract art is open to interpretation, it doesn't declare what It is all about. Instead, it requires you to open your mind; you have to enter the painting and feel where it takes you. It empowers you with the freedom in exploration. The viewer can assign his own meaning to the piece. This very personal process enriches the experience of artwork by the viewer. The latest relates to Abstract Expressionism as they could not achieve a better understanding.

Cool oil paintings

In this article we will introduce you to a new generation of abstract art as it has never been achieved before.

The artist we are about to introduce is doing vice-versa. Each of his works will carry a title that exactly points to the subject depicted, despite his art is abstract. The transformation of characters into symbols is one of the features of the works he signs. The image for the representation of the real is designed with symbolic functions through attitudes and interacting with the ambient space.

The muse

“My muse has always been Solitude. Solitude as the living character, as a trustworthy interlocutor. It overwhelms you with gifts when you understand and appreciate it. And I describe it to the world from this perspective. I transform both pleasant and unpleasant experiences into symbols. The symbols appear spontaneously, but I believe that is in what the success of an artwork resides. The beholder, in order to understand my works, is invited to a game of chess with two adversaries, so to speak: precisely, they must play also with me, and with the leitmotif of each painting. It is a chessboard on which all the pieces are kings and queens. Thus, I invite the beholder to emerge from the quotidian, from the here and now, and enter the universe which I have created in my work. Only this way can they understand.“ - G. Virtosu

The idea

“Hopeless loneliness started me off. It gave me the motivation and the respite to turn a new leaf in my life and here I am today. It was incredibly challenging. Imagine being unjustly vilified and having to undergo a punishment for it; some people chose to commit suicide under those circumstances and you can hardly blame them for it. Besides, it was not the sort of place conducive to art. But what does not kill you, makes you stronger, and today I am convinced that the strength which I gained from that experience comes across in my works. I had an urge to express my feeling and frustrations and it came up in form of canvas.“ - G. Virtosu.

The artist

After quitting his military career in 1992 he went to London where he acquired British citizenship. He developed an interest in abstract painting and writing. Virtosu lives and works in London, Amsterdam, Luxembourg. His work focuses on his knowledge and experience depicting emotions, social phenomena, and characters.

Prefered medium

Oil would not rub or flake off, wouldn't wash away if it got wet, would resist most staining or color changing. It is essentially permanent. The canvas, that is relatively soft, flexible cloth medium that could stretch, tear, absorb paint - allows oil to adhere well, and creates a bonded structure that makes the painting even more permanent. Finally, the medium is beautiful."

“My works are of different sizes, however, I feel accomplished and happy when I create large works, usually lengthier or wider than a meter and a half, above 60 inches. These works are more difficult to keep control over, however, a big canvas makes a statement and that statement is really powerful when someone for real has something to say.“ - G. Virtosu.

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