Exclusive Interview with Andres Giles: The Self-Taught Abstract Painter
Andrés Francisco Giles’ journey to becoming a world-renowned painter is perhaps a little unconventional – just like his works of art. The Argentine artist, based in New York has exhibited internationally since 1999. However, his passion and talent in the arts was discovered very early on, by his teachers and his mother when he was in Kindergarten.
“On the first day of Primary School, in 1987, our teacher showed us a movie on Van Gogh,” shares Giles. “When I got home, I told my parents that I was a painter, that I must paint and this was reason I was born into this life,” he passionately adds.
His curiosity for the arts was cultivated during his schooling years, where he learnt about impressionist art, abstract painters and Russian avant garde movements. His passion made him skip school on many days, where he opted to visit museums instead.
Soon, his circle of friends expanded to include various painters, where we honed his artistic skills in their ateliers. A chance encounter led him to be introduced to Master painter Horacio Sosa Cordero, the mentor of Miquel Barcelo. A short while later Cordero became Giles best friend and my mentor.
Today, his unique artworks are exhibited in globally, in Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, Cyprus, Monaco, Lebanon, Switzerland, Rome, UK and the US, as Chile and Peru.
Andrés Giles’ painting style
Giles describes his painting style as Vanguardia and Barocco art. Vanguardia artists are defined by surrealism, cubism and modernist primitivism. Giles credits his knowledge of art history for the success of his works.
“For me, my own paintings are an expression of life. Some may only represent the history of a certain times, and others can represent an event that has passed,” says Giles. “This is important for me, to show the viewer that the past and its events are still with us, influencing us and shaping us. History is very important as it made us who we are today,” he adds.
However, Giles does not paint to stir a certain emotion in the viewer. Instead, he wants each viewer to interact with his paintings differently, and project what they feel when looking at the vibrant works on canvas.
View Giles’ artwork on Bellamysworld
Continuing on his journey of self-exploration, Giles is an avid traveler. He visits new cities frequently, to learn about new cultures and heritage, which influence his works.
“If you ask me what my favorite country is, I would have difficulty answering. However, I love life, and everything for me has something unique to offer. I been traveling to learn much more about paintings and painters, because people like my paintings I have the chance to keep studying and satiating my knowledge for paintings and art history,” he shares.
For 2020, Giles is on a mission to spread his works of art and artistic philosophies globally. “Hopefully, this year, I will become more well-known. I am also expanding the reach of my paintings and my works, around the world. At the moment, I have many works that no one has ever seen. And so, I aspire to have more galleries and museums displaying my work, to engage with global audiences,” says Giles.
Giles’ favorite artists
When asked which painters he admires and that inspire him, Giles lists many: Miro, Picasso, Munch, Francis Bacon, Horacio Cordero, Warhol, Basquiat. Lucio Fontana. Jackson Pollock, de Kooning. Franz Kline. Gerad Richter Fox painter, Malevich, Rodchenko, Popova, Richard Hambleton Basquiat, Suolage, Richard Serra, Monet, Van Gogh, Mondrian, Manet, Italian Futurist. Grupo el Paso, Millares, Antonio Saura, Antoni Tapies. Barcelo. Ronaldo de Juan. Berni, Romulo Maccio. Alberto Greco. And many Italian artists.
View Giles' famous works here:
