Alex Chaves (b. 1989 Summit, NJ). His practice encompasses painting, drawing, performance, and poetry. Taking inspiration from Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, and Symbolism, Chaves interacts with early ideas of Modernist figuration in his paintings and drawings. The highly textured surfaces of his canvases are composed of sinuating lines and vibrant blocks of color.
In Chaves’ portraits, this aesthetic dynamism is paralleled by the psychological energy and sensuality of his subjects; often friends or lovers depicted in domestic spaces. His work reflects on human behavior and interpersonal connections, as well as one’s ability to navigate both intimate and shared spaces. The artist’s performances and poetry explore the fluidity of sexuality, gender, and identity.
Chaves currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.
