Student Conversation - Alex de Roeck
"I have changed one hundred percent since I started here, mainly thanks to the library."
On asking questions
I make art out of impulse, entertainment and instinct. I do a lot of writing and I am influenced by how people create rap music, where it bounces back and forth creating diverse and flexible narratives. I don’t think it’s important to create solutions. I don’t want to be told an answer when I look at art. My art is about asking questions. Sometimes I can get into a hole and make a lot of rubbish, but I think that’s kind of a good thing. A mistake in art is good sometimes.
On influences
I have changed one hundred percent since I started here, mainly thanks to the library. Just getting random books and reading about different artists. I take influence from outsider art and things like that. I like people like Isa Genzken.
On printmaking
Originally I was a printmaker. I would make large colourful mono prints. This then turned into assemblages and I’ve now started to use clay and expanding foam. I think the printmaking process slows me down too much. I think it’s kind of too precious. I draw mostly. When I draw I don’t really know what’s going to happen a lot of the time.
On his class
Our class formed a group called the Gum Collective. It’s a beautiful place to be, to have thirteen people to bounce off. Without this college we would have never created the circumstances we are in, which is amazing. We have a lot of things lined up so it’s good.
