Interview
Alexia HD
Alexia’s creative journey began in Marin County, California. She would search for intriguing pieces of free furniture given away at coffee shops and drive-throughs. Unfortunately, because of a lack of storage space and escalating rent, Alexia had to stop her furniture collecting, and with it, put aside her creative self. It was then that Alexia encountered the radio world.
After a decade of underground radio shows, Alexia retired from the radio station in May 2014. It was in that same year that she underwent a major surgery. Through her rehabilitation period, Alexia discovered that she had become weaker from neglecting her creative energy. And so with a vow to never abandon or neglect her creative self ever again, Alexia began to draw. Using vibrant colors, she quickly realized her colorful drawings were in absolute relation to her healing process.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’m French-American Vietnamese and I’ve been an artist since I was 4 years old. My first artistic venture was on stage as a ballerina. One thing leading to another, through the body or words, I have been leaning towards performing arts: juggling for several private theater companies, writing my first play at the age of 16, and publishing prose poems in 2006. My technical approach is enriched empirically from textual rendition to pure improvisation. The theater has become more than a playground, it has become a prized setting.
Instinct and desire saw me take time to live in Paris. In 1992, I began studying film. This was before I left to live the experience across the Atlantic. The call of the sea is a story of multiple roots. San Francisco is a welcoming city, and the American language becomes second nature. It was a time when music mattered; the artistic circles I joined carried me. I produced and presented a radio show for about ten years, a period of intellectual collisions and collusions—a series of dazzling moments, substantially nourishing.
Later, my creativity shifted to other fields: drawing, making objects out of recycled wood, and acrylic painting.”
What does your work aim to say? Does it comment on any current social or political issues?
“The aim of my work is to have a full sincerity with what viewers see, whether they like it or not. It does not have any sociopolitical themes.”
Which current art world trends are you following?
“I’m interested in modern pop, abstract expressionism, and some Shodo.”
"My work has become a personal renewal that owes its existence to an accident. It came as a surprise to me after a surgical operation.”
Do you plan your work in advance, or is it improvisation?
“I create my work completely through improvisation based on visions that I have from time to time. I rarely force myself to paint or schedule my painting process.”
What process, materials and techniques do you use to create your artwork?
“I work with anything: traditional canvas of various forms, recycled electronics, wood and metal sheet. In fact, I use whatever I feel will work depending on my vision.”
What does your art mean to you?
“Besides expressing myself via my visions, I use art as an expression when my OCD or ADHD rises and meditation or connection with outdoor elements don’t work.”
What’s your favorite artwork and why?
“My very first piece is my favorite because it was completely spontaneous after a vision that came up. After that, my creativity exploded organically.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I curated 2 art shows that included music performances at the Red Victorian in San Francisco California. Because of my radio background, I paired painting and music for the 2 exhibits. You can see my artwork here.”
Website: www.shuggah.net
Other: YouTube
