Andrew is from New Zealand, based in their hometown of Tauranga.
Coffee and tea keep him alive and when he isn't making pigments, he's chatting about them on Instagram or researching them or dreaming about them.
Yes, he's obsessed. So please help support his chemical addiction by leaving an encouraging comment or purchasing their handmade paints.
Andrew Carvaé (1984) is a self-taught artist from New Zealand's Western Bay of Plenty.
He was drawn to intricate pencil sketching and traditional figurative painting from a very young age, in an endeavour to comprehend and understand the world around him. This early appreciation for old masters' figurative anatomy studies, as well as exposure to 19th-century scientific illustrations of plant and avian life, merged with his personal grief and early trauma. This is a significant source of his creative inspiration, which he now interprets through a contemporary lens.
Compelled to disseminate and express the intricacies of the human experience, Andrews' work explores our perceptions of morality and divinity, and our relationship towards experiences of loss and isolation. While grounded in the tradition of figurative painting, Andrew's focus is always on the emotional essence and impact of the work, rather than narrative content.
Creating surreal atmospheres infused with elements of abstract expressionism to transport viewers to a liminal space and inspire personal introspection. Through this immersive and contemplative approach, Andrew's work invites us to connect with and evaluate our own complex emotions and experiences that shape us.
By confronting difficult themes and presenting them in a way that is both raw and beautiful, Andrew's work encourages us to consider our identity and our relationship with the world in a deeper, more authentic and more meaningful way.
I create large-scale figurative works featuring silhouetted forms adrift in ethereal dreamscapes.
The dynamic contrast between aggressively applied layers and refined brushstrokes create a complex sensory experience that guides viewers to a liminal space, inviting reflection on the difficult emotions and experiences that shape identity.
My work examines our perceptions of goodness and virtue, and our relationship to mortality, loss, and pain, encouraging a deeper and more authentic understanding of ourselves and the world.
Blending abstract and figurative techniques, I create emotionally resonating works that express and invite contemplation of the complexities of human suffering, beauty and dignity.
"... exploring the dark facets of beauty, and the brutality of human existence."