We are excited to welcome in German artist Alpay Efe, who joins us with his debut RUN Veil A, available in standard and hand-embellished editions. Blending his signature mix of abstraction and realism, Efe prefers to leave narratives up the viewer with his sultry oil paintings. Read on for a behind the scenes look at Alpay Efe’s debut RUN and much more . . .
1xRUN: Tell us a little bit about this piece, anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this image?
Alpay Efe: It’s part of my current body of work that plays with the juxtaposition and intersection of abstraction and realism. Other than that I like to leave it up to the viewer to create a narrative, I’m a proponent of allowing the experience and perception of art to be uniquely intimate and private to each individual.
1x: When was this piece created and what materials were used?
Alpay Efe: It was painted with oil paints on an oil primed wood panel. I think it was painted 2016/17.
1x: How long did this image take to create from start to finish?
Alpay Efe: I worked a few weeks on this particular piece and it changed a few times over the course of its creation. You never know when the painting is finished until you see it.
Veil A by Alpay Efe – Click To Purchase Standard + Hand-Embellished Editions
1x: When did you first start making art?
Alpay Efe: I guess I just never stopped making art unlike most people when they grow up.
1x: What artists inspired you early on?
Alpay Efe: Mostly Comic artists very early on but when it comes to painting one of my earliest and definitely my biggest influence was Steven Assael. Seeing his paintings opened my eyes and my mind to seeing painting as an artistic discipline rather than a technical skill. As a matter of fact, it was after seeing one of his paintings that I decided to pursue a professional career as a painter rather than Illustrator.
1x: What artists inspire you now?
Alpay Efe: All kinds of artists from all kinds of backgrounds, but that is something that changes daily or weekly. Right now I’m very inspired by 19th-century impressionist artists but I’m also equally inspired by the 80s and modern Anime.
1x: Do you listen to music while you work? If so what?
Alpay Efe: Sometimes I do, but mostly I listen to audiobooks. I might as well learn something while standing around the whole day making brushstrokes.
1x: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why? Any deceased artists?
Alpay Efe: There are so many great artists, how could I just pick one. That being said, I would love to collaborate with people from a slightly different artistic background… the movie or gaming industry for example. I feel like the intersection of those areas and Art or painting, in particular, hasn’t been explored much yet. [For the latter] again, too many… working with Michelangelo would be just as intriguing as collaborating with Monet.
1x: What was the first piece of art that you bought? Do you still have it? The last?
Alpay Efe: I honestly can’t remember. It’s most definitely something comic related since I was into that kind of stuff when I was a teenager. The last piece I bought is a print by the talented Mr. Aryz.
1x: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Alpay Efe: Several actually! Solo and group shows but since the dates are always subject to change it’s best to follow me on Instagram or visit my Website for news. I’m also interested in giving a workshop, so maybe that’s something that will happen in 2018 too.
1x: Where else can people find out more about you?
Alpay Efe: Website – Instagram @alpay_efe – Facebook @
AlpayEfeART
-1xRUN