Bradley Theodore Talk's Two as One

ART

BRADLEY THEODORE’S TWO AS ONE

ART

by BRADLEY THEODORE

INTERVIEW

by KRISTOPHER FRASER

Artist Bradley Theodore has made a notable name for himself with his portraits of Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and Chanel's former artistic director Karl Lagerfeld (R.I.P Monsieur Lagerfeld). Now, the artist has mounted an entirely new exhibit titled Two as One featuring sculptures of the two notable fashion figures, along with a selection of new oil paintings, a new approach for the artist who has so famously painted on acryllic.

AS IF sat down with the artist to discuss his new exhibit, the concept of Two as One, and how he continues to challenge himself as an artist.

AS IF: Talk to me about the general theme of this exhibit. I knew you have a lot of new pieces here as well that are being shown for the first time in New York.

Bradley Theodore: The theme here is an evolution and bringing things back home. For example, this is all about two as one. The beginning of my career started with an Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld painting. The painting represented the existence of fashion and two lasting vices within fashion. Their relationship went deeper as far their human relationship with each other. It can come off kind of dark, but if you really look at it, it’s very precious.

Talk to me more about this concept of two as one and what that means in terms of human interaction?

Basically, if we look at your connections as human beings there’s no way we would exist without another human being. We’re connected, and that’s what being human is about. My work is about being human, flaws and everything else. It’s about you.

Karl Lagerfeld recently passed away. How do you think that might affect how people interpret your work?

Karl liked my work actually. Karl tried to get a piece from me for a couple years. I don’t know how people will interpret it, because I’ve been doing this for seven years. It wasn’t about his passing. I don’t believe in death. Where I’m from in Turks & Caicos we don’t die, we just lay down under the tree. The way other people may perceive things is a little different from the way I perceive things.

Bradley Theodore by @rayyyu

They say perception is 9/10’s of the law.

No, possession is 9/10’s of the law.

Well how do you think perception relates to art though. Is perception is 9/10's of how people feel about art.

No, I think the way people think about art and feel about art is what the perception of art is. If the art makes you feel good, that’s your perception. We review art with our eyes, but we really feel it in our heart.

Karl Lagerfeld by Bradley Theodore

Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld by Bradley Theodore

What do you want people to walk away feeling from this exhibit?

As an artist I have a disconnect with the work itself. I create it and it lives on its own. It’s very interesting to see what people feel about it after it’s out of my hands.

You say you feel disconnected from your work, then what’s driving your inspiration and reason to finish it.

All my work is painted without sketching. Every painting here might have a reference photo or concept, but there’s no me sitting there for hours sketching. I just paint, and I just fight through the painting to make it the best painting I ever painted.

Two as One by Bradley Theodore

“Basically, if we look at your connections as human beings there’s no way we would exist without another human being.”

Two as One by Bradley Theodore

How challenging is it to paint without sketching, because some people would consider that an act of suicide almost?

For me I kind of black out and just go.

Let’s talk about your themes and how you’re taking your work to the next level? Are we looking at a new Bradley Theodore 2.0? Is that on the horizon.

I’m not messing around. Put it like this, on acrylic I’m a very fast painter, but because I’m so fast I decided to paint something I wasn’t as good at, which was oil, which is harder. Instead of painting something in like a month, it’ll take three months. Sometimes people think faster is better, but more quality is better. So, now I’m going for more quality.

What qualities have you seen improve in your work?

Take a look. Deep color, shape, texture. You know it’s interesting.

What else would you like to see from yourself in your evolution as an artist?

I don’t know. It’ll come out when it’s time.

Two as One by Bradley Theodore

“As an artist I have a disconnect with the work itself. I create it and it lives on its own.”

Oil canvas paintings by Bradley Theodore