Ambrus Gero
“In the center of my work there are social commentaries on the pitfalls of capitalism and the strength of human beings; the possibility to bond together as one. I create immersive spaces that can inspire communities and create fictional narratives to discuss new social norms.”
Flying Syringe Carpet, 2021, aluminum, syringe, cotton, plastic, wax, gold imitation, spray paint, thread, industrial fan, 32 x 56 x 95 in
PP: What does your studio practice look like?
AG: I create oil paintings and also use acrylic and spray paint. Additionally, I make kinetic sculptures and interactive kinetic sculptures. Currently, I am working on a new series of paintings that incorporate images of neon lights. To begin, I use Photoshop to create a blueprint of what I want to paint. Then, I paint the neon lights with spray paint as a background for my work. Going forward, I project images onto the canvas and trace the figures onto the spray painted surface. I do this in complete darkness, with only the projector light visible to anyone who walks into my studio. Afterward, I enhance the figures. Sometimes, friends visit me and through conversations they provide useful feedback. If I find their feedback resonating with me, I make changes to some of my paintings based on what we discussed earlier. These days, I am able to complete a large painting, approximately 60 x 50 inches, within two weeks.
Flying Carpet, 2019, cotton blanket, vacuum formed styrene plastic, spray paint, 43.5 x 33 x 78 in
PP: What do you aim to say through your work?
AG: I aim to express the possibility of a free community of all people and offer a satirical portrayal of the new world in my work. Drawing from my imagination, my art explores social alienation and emerging social norms, such as social distancing, which I believe reveal the darker side of humanity. However, I also make interactive art, hopefully showcasing the brighter side of humanity, such as serving food and drinks from my kinetic sculptures to bring people together.
Dalmation Man, 2019, oil and acrylic on canvas, 76 x 76 in
PP: What role do you think artists have in society?
AG: The role of an artist can vary significantly depending on the artist. Some - the wizards - may possess a unique understanding that surpasses that of the general population, and as such, only a select few can comprehend their work. They may serve as mirrors, reflecting back to society what exists and what lies ahead. Some artists may focus solely on aesthetics, and there is nothing wrong with that either. In June, my interactive kinetic sculpture called Flying Cacao Table will be exhibited at the ChaShaMa Gala 2023. I will be using this platform to advocate for the consumption of cacao. In South and Central America, cacao has been consumed as a sacred plant medicine that can heal traumas and enhance creativity. Although the event will be a busy sight and less intimate than I originally wanted it to be. I aim to demonstrate that people can come together with the intention of healing. So some artists play "the healer" role.
Masky No. 9, 2022, oil and spray paint on canvas, 10 x 8 in
PP: Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
AG: In five years, I see myself represented by a gallery and exhibiting my paintings and kinetic sculpture at various art fairs across the world at least three times a year.
Ambrus Gero is a Hungarian visual artist whose paintings incorporate digitally manipulated environments and self-portrait “superheroes” that present the viewer with an imagined narrative. He starts with researched images on the Internet and, downloading selected files, dislocates those photographic elements from their temporal and original contexts and placing them within a painterly landscape. The ambiguity of the images come from the anonymity of the objects and the characters, blurred animalistic identities, and the intimate relationships conjured once the primer motifs and the backgrounds are combined. Gero received his BFA from Pratt Institute, and has recently participated in group exhibitions in cooperation with ChaShaMa at ChaShaMa Gala 2023, Wassaic Project, NY (2022-2023), Paradice Palase, Brooklyn (2022, 2023), and Pratt Manhattan Gallery (2022). He won the People’s Choice Award from Jackson’s Open Painting Prize in 2018 and has been a recipient of The Most Positive Artist Award at Wam Design Gallery, Budapest (2008). Conceptual Garden, his first architectural design, won first prize at the Vaci Green Competition. He received special funding for his public art project titled Art Blankets for Picnic (2019). Gero currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
To learn more about Ambrus’ work, see his instagram and website.