Alex Radin
“I’m definitely an explorer of ideas,” says painter Alex Radin, when asked to describe himself. The long conversations about ideas, theories, and life that he has with his close friends often end up becoming the subject matter of his paintings. Inspired by these intangible concepts, Radin says, “Technique-wise I’m definitely based in realism, but I’m more drawn to whatever would communicate the ideas strongest.”
In regards to a fairly recent series called “Balance,” he says, “We sometimes overcomplicate. We work so hard to make something happen that is supposed to naturally happen.” He illustrates this in a piece called “Natural Process,” (above) with a cocoon that will natural develop into a butterfly when the time is right. However, sometimes mankind gets in the mix and tries to control things. Then it all gets thrown off balance. He exemplifies this with the hand and dominoes.
In “Things Necessary,” (facing page, lower right) there is a hand holding up china while helicopter seed pods spiral down. “That single seed pod contains everything necessary for that tree to pass on its inheritance to future trees, and it will drop at just the right time,” says the artist. “I thought of things we pass down, and I thought of grandma’s china. It lives in its little cabinet, it has to stay in the family, you can’t break or chip it… We stress about these things that are just not very important in the grand scheme of things.”
Radin loves collaboration. In 2008, he and his wife Sara started a company called Artist on Fire and started organizing themed, collaborative shows. Establishing one theme and having many artists produce their interpretation of that is always interesting. “It’s so incredible and unique that we all see things in a different way,” says Radin. This year will be Artist on Fire’s fifth annual visual arts exhibition as part of the Piccolo Spoleto Festival. This year’s theme? “Sweet!” Radin says, “We are constantly bombarded constantly by negativity. There are so many amazing things in life and it seems like the other stuff gets overplayed. We want to focus on the beauty and goodness in life.”
Ellie Radin:
One of the most important things to Radin is his family, and they’re a talented bunch. When she was four years old, his daughter Ellie would sit on his studio floor and draw while he painted. Inspired by her, he created a show called “Through the Eyes of a Child” that showcased both of their works. So, she had her first show at age four. At age six, Radin was organizing the big annual Artist on Fire show. She said, “Daddy, I want to be in the show this year.” He explained to her this was a serious show and that she needed to have a bio and pitch and submit her work, just like all the other artists. She did just that and was juried in alongside all the adults. Her work was a huge hit!
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Words: Olivia Pool
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