ALEXIS DUQUE

Alexis has always had an inclination towards art, and as a child, loved to draw and play with his imaginary heroes. “I would say I was born with a gift, but I also have to work hard every day and spend long hours accomplishing my paintings. There are long tedious moments that are simply part of the process,” reflects Duque. His main medium is ink and acrylic paint on canvas. He generally starts each of his drawings by sketching with a 0.5 graphite pencil; these sharp lines ultimately define the entire structure of the work. His compositions typically feature intricately detailed urban city centers, and in this way “reflect on the chaotic and unavoidable processes of urbanization in our globalized and overpopulated world.” Working from imagination, his works depict futuristic, architectural metropolises. Everyday objects commingle with exotic nature in uncontrollable compositions, depicting growth and waste with equal measure. Working with what one might term post-apocalyptic visions, Duque finds classic mediums such as drawing and painting to be a gateway into infinite possibility. Working out of his current studio in East Harlem, Duque maintains “For me, originality is about listening to my own inner voice and finding my own vision.” His featured work is a series the artist has been developing over the last few years in which a very detailed form of drawing combines with acrylic paint on canvas. After that, he’s working on a series of iconic portraits inspired by pop culture and Surrealist fantasies.

http://www.alexisduque.net