Using the term “visionary” in the 21st century seems like an old hat. Everything is subject to the hyperbolic whims of the observer. Those who witness truly great art, whether in the form of music, painting, sculpture, or some other medium, oftentimes find themselves at an utter loss for description. Such was my reaction to seeing the work of Alex Grey for the first time. Rarely does art afford its viewer a literal escape and venture into transcendence and even more rare is when that artform continues to evolve itself rather than resting in a unconscious stasis. Grey has devoted his lifework to peeling away the layers of habit and social banality in art to create visual masterpieces that help illuminate the pathway between consciousness and the realized being of self. Grey’s constant search for the connection of consciousness permeates every facet of his art allowing each piece to expand the possibilities of existence in the mind, body, and spirit. I had the opportunity to ask Alex a few questions and hopefully gain some of his insight.
What do you believe is the greatest challenge facing anyone hoping to make viable art in the 21stcentury?
The greatest challenge is to integrate and engage a higher consciousness and conscience, both artist and viewer, related to the eco-catastrophe in progress. I feel it is important to recapture the sacred, to affirm the sacred dimension of our lives. Can we wrestle heaven to earth, make a living at it and save the planet while we’re at it?!
How have you seen yourself evolve both at the conscious and unconscious level since you first began drawing/painting?
The arc of an artist’s consciousness development should be visible within their chronological body of work. I have drawings from when I was very young that demonstrate the phase shifts from a magical to a mythical to a rational and then to an intuitive/psychic (vision logic) and then transcendental or mystical. That is the integral psychological model of awakening consciousness. Each phase is evident in my chronological body of work.
How important is music to you in how you approach your creative process, and are there specific examples (artists, songs, etc.) you might be willing to share?
Music is extremely influential in the creation of my art. During the process of painting Transfiguration in 1993, I was listening to Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. At the second movement, I instantly saw the Prostration painting in fine detail – like a flash, and I thought it was related to the music and to the feeling of surrender that was moving in me, surrender to a higher power.
Music: Bach, Beethoven, Shubert, Shpongle, Phillip Glass, Moby, Tool, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Beck –
Currently stuck on Beck’s remix of Philip Glass and I have to hear it every day for two weeks. Also currently stuck on Jib Kidder –
Films: I watched Avatar 5 times and once I counted the seconds for each frame of the film. No scene or point of view was over 8 seconds and it was the widest pan of film.
Ground Hog Day, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Forrest Gump, anything our daughter Zena is acting in.
What literature works as a sort of catalyst for you in creating your art? Please feel free to elaborate.
Books: Alone with the Alone by Henri Corbin on the Sufi mystic, Ibn Arabi
No Two is Peace by Adi Da
The Integral Vision by Ken Wilber
Evolutionary Enlightenment by Andrew CohenSelf Liberation Through Seeing with Naked Awareness John Reynolds translation of Padmasambhava textFoundations of Tibetan Mysticism by Lama GovindaThese books have been very helpful:Transforming Depression by David RosenHealing Back Pain by John Sarno
I had a solo exhibition in Santa Monica and Adam Jones, lead guitar and founder of Tool, inquired with the gallery about my artwork and soon started talking about album art. He described his concept of the dissectional art for the Lateralus album. He later asked me to conceptualize a stage setting using my work to travel with the band on a 90-city tour of arenas throughout the world. It was astonishing the exposure that my work received through our interaction for the past two albums. I also had the opportunity to create and co-create my first two animation projects. My relationship with Adam, and later with all the guys in Tool, has resulted in the exposure of my work to literally millions of people worldwide. It has been a wonderful and life altering experience for which I am deeply grateful.
Thanks to Alex for his time.
