ALEXIS TOUMAZIS
DIGITAL COLLAGES
Alexis Toumazis is a Filmmaker and Artist based in London. His illustrations are about minimalism, nature and human expression. His use of carefully selected images and intricate textures create a surreal compositions full of human emotions. His personal blog is a collection of short films and digital collages, showing his unique way of viewing the world.
When working with architectural-visualization, we often get carried away by adding too much to our drawings and losing the essence of the Architecture being portrayed. Alexis’ work is a great example of consistency, story-telling and composition.
For this interview, Alexis will be talking about his "Digital Collages" artwork.
About: In a few words, describe yourself and your work.
I’m an artist that is interested in the human condition and what it is that makes us human, I explore this through my filmmaking and my digital collages.
You are a Mexican Filmmaker. Can you tell us how your work as a filmmaker, as well as your Mexican background, impacts your work?
My work as a filmmaker is very similar to my work as a collage artist, in the sense that I always have the same perspective in the way that I see the world and all of its intricacies. One of the constants that can be seen in my work is minimalism, nature and human expression. I always try and let the viewer take their time to analyse the pieces in order to make up their own minds about how it makes them feel.
I’m half Mexican and half greek, however I have always moved to multiple places while growing up, so the way that influences my work is very evident.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Everywhere. Nature, fashion, expressions, emotions, thoughts, feelings.
Is there anyone in particular who influences you graphically? Why?
There are many artists/filmmakers that influence me. Graphically, I would say Edward Hopper’s use of color to compose, and portrait artists such as Frida Kahlo’s way of implementing nature as a way of expression.
What do you believe is a key element in creating a good composition? Could you give us an example?
A lot of my composition comes intuitively. I think you have to have an eye for it, it’s not something that can be taught necessarily. My compositions are very improvised and in all honesty, don’t pre-plan them!
“My compositions are very improvised and in all honesty, don’t pre-plan them!”
What is the message behind your artwork and how do you compose your images to transmit this message?
What I would like to transmit through my artwork is not a message necessarily but a chance to explore the human condition and what makes us human, whether it’s a feeling, an expression, a pose. I compose my images to carry a certain expression, gesture or feeling and the surrounding elements enhance or contrast these.
Could you show us / talk about the process of creating one of your images?
My process starts with looking for images, as soon as I find one that strikes me for one reason or the other I then look for elements in other sources that will help me explore and create a better understanding of the concept. A lot of times these images can be either magazine covers, plants or even a certain animal, they are countless. It really depends!
What are you currently working on?
I am currently working on getting more exposure on my work, and building a website to sell prints of my work and of course making more collages!
What advice would you give to young artists?
Keep making art, explore different things and don’t be afraid to try different things in order to find your own style that captures the unique way you view life.
“Don’t be afraid to try different things in order to find your own style”
Alexis, thank you for taking the time to interview with Arch-Vizz and show us your great work!
You can find more about Alexis's work at http://cargocollective.com/alexistoumazis and on his instagram page @_third_eye_art
Interview & Images Courtesy: Alexis Toumazis
Interviewer: Stefani Fachini