Alex Gerasev
Lesley University College of Art and Design
Artwork title: Caravan
ink on paper | 30 x 40 inches
Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
This piece addresses displacement, alienation and instability, and the forces that cause those conditions. It was inspired by my own family history of forced migration; current events at the US-Mexico border; and the impact of climate change.
How do you describe your work and practice?
My work addresses the themes of immigration/migration and climate change and is rooted in the stories and struggles of my family, my community and the world. I approach these themes using an ambiguous visual language that employs both figurative and surreal elements.
What motivated you to apply to the AXA Art Prize?
For me, figurative work is the most powerful way to share stories of the human condition. The AXA Art Prize helps ensure that this way of working is recognized as a valid component of the contemporary art world.
What themes regularly resurface?
My work focuses on the themes of undertaking a journey, being an outsider, nostalgia, longing and alienation. I ask: Who has a place in this world and who does not? What is that place? What are the factors and conditions that determine the status of a person or a community?