Who is artist Andreas Tomblin? Share with us a few things about you and your work in general.
Pablo Picasso once said, “It takes a long time to become young.”
To strive every day to see the world through the eyes of a child is a journey with many twists and turns. Along the way you encounter pleasure and pain, enlightenment and a sense of being humble, but ultimately it is a pathway to the truth. Art that holds the integrity of innocence and the honesty of a child’s vision communicates to the viewer part of our ever evolving self and connects on a human level.
My intention is to present the viewer not with a visual solution to a concept but to engage them in a visual dialogue of questions through the juxtaposition of the familiar and unfamiliar. I’m interested in the viewer peeling away the layers of information and discovering hidden messages and forms that trigger reactions and a meaningful thought process.
Working with concepts surrounding the subconscious allows me to develop my work in unexpected directions and presents fresh perspectives not only within the content of the subject matter but also within the visual language and application of the materials giving me artistic freedom and expression.
What was your reaction when you heard that you were awarded? Twice! Since you were also awarded by WAVA ”Artist of the Mediterranean award!
To be awarded ”Artist of the Mediterranean” by WAVA was a total surprise and honor. It was a wonderful feeling to be recognized by an established organization such as WAVA. They have years of experience curating international Art events and they are well established Artists in their own right that I respect greatly.
Tell us a few words about your awarded work.
Every 3.2 seconds, a new case of Alzheimer’s disease occurs somewhere in the world.
To address this issue, my art installation, entitled, “The Lights Are On But Nobody Is Home”, takes into consideration how culture, environment, upbringing, life experiences, social and economic events and beliefs are contained deep within a person’s psyche.
The mind is the vessel containing countless details and combinations that are configured, making us who we are. Our identity takes the form of memories, aspirations, dreams, beliefs, desires, emotions and personality; this coded information is contained, stored and catalogued. It could be said to be the spirit of man, man’s identity.
As Alzheimer’s erodes memory a chaotic interconnected layering of information and codes that are partly erased and partly jumbled together take up the mind and it’s these elements that are part of the installation. They take shape in a visual and audio response which highlight the day to day problems facing victims and carers.
It was imperative for the piece to communicate on a human level and for people to become immersed in the subject matter. This was achieved by presenting ideas and concepts that challenged the viewer’s senses.
A combination of visual, sound, light, and spatial elements were presented to the viewer in order for them to gain a full understanding of the experience of the subject. During and after viewing a one to one dialogue between myself (the artist) and the general public was made.
This was welcomed by the participants and myself and resulted in closer connections to the work. Education, subject knowledge and humility towards fellow man were prevalent throughout. It was through this discourse that the work truly answered a lot of questions I previously pondered.
Finalist Award Larnaca Biennale 2018
What is your impression about this first Biennial in Cyprus?
This can only be seen in a positive light. The initiative not only elevates Art and the Art scene in Cyprus on an International stage but also cultural elements associated with the island to a wider audience.
It promotes the cross fertilization of ideas from different cultures and perspectives, educates and brings a broader community together.
The foundation has now been laid giving rise to further events in the future that could be even more ambitious and successful.
I would also like to thank everybody involved with the organization of the event but also all of my fellow participating artists for making it a memorable event.
A message you would like to send to artists that will apply in the future for participation in Larnaca Biennale.
In his First Inaugural Address in 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself”. So if you don’t do it someone else will. Stay true and honest to yourself then you’re on the right path.
