Alexandra Warren was born in New York City but spent her childhood in Greece; the influence of the mediterranean country can be seen in her paintings, especially her most recent ones, which incorporate metal leaf reminiscent of Greek Byzantine icons. Alexandra began painting on the island of Paros and later received a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) from Rhode Island School of Design in the U.S.A. She also studied with Paul Martin and Alastair Gordon at Leith School of Art in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Alexandra uses colour and symbol in a way that references late-modern abstraction, in order to paint life-size figures. The physical act of painting is a conversation which begins with layers of the materials she is working with – whether this is oil paint, or metal leaf over old-fashioned gesso. The canvas or panel is then stained, scumbled, dragged and drawn, slowly revealing figures who stand and stare, dance or converse in silence. Alexandra is interested in a person’s character and their internal portrait. Her figures are a response to a statement made by H.D. Thoreau in his book Walden: “Moreover I, on my side, require of every writer, first and last, a simple and sincere account of his own life…” Alexandra’s work is an account of her own life and the people nearest her.
Greek Byzantine icons and Cycladic figurative sculpture are of central importance to Alexandra’s work: their simplicity of form and strength of spirit inform her own approach to the human figure. Another strong influence is the work of her grandmother, sculptor Jo Jenks, who carved semi-abstract figures from black granite and other stone. One of these stone women stood in the garden of Alexandra’s family home for many years.
Alexandra currently lives and works in the Scottish Borders. Her work is in private collections accross the world: in the U.S., the U.K., Greece and Germany.
Artist’s statement:
I find more and more that growing up in Greece has had a huge influence on me as an artist. I have lived in the Borders for nearly 20 years but find myself harking back to the place where I grew up in terms of my work.
I have always enjoyed looking at icons in small Greek chapels and churches, as well the collection of the Byzantine Museum in Athens – a wonderful place to visit. After working for many years in oil on canvas, I am turning to the materials used to create Greek Byzantine icons: old fashioned gesso, red bole (red clay) and metal/gold leaf. These materials, as well as the wood panels I apply them to, provide a new leaping off point for me.
I am enjoying the possibilities these materials present as I work with them in my studio in Stow. I will continue my exploration of this way of working to see where it leads.
Alexandra Warren 