Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist whose work has been recognized and exhibited at prestigious institutions and venues such as the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Art Basel Miami Beach, and even the White House. Her inspiration comes from a cross-section of different cultures and spans a variety of mediums, from fashion and film to live performance art and more.
His unique art exists at the intersection of art and technology, and he views the history and development of both as inextricably linked. For him, technology is a transformative force that has and will continue to expand the art world, opening new possibilities and encouraging artists to rethink and refine their work. Samsung Newsroom caught up with Aerosyn-Lex to talk about her journey as an artist and how technology intertwines with her work.
â–² Aerosyn-Lex Mestrovic
First encounters with multicultural inspirations
Q: Can you briefly describe your artistic career for us?
I’ve been a lifelong artist and creative. Art and design are central elements of my identity. I studied art from an early age and never stopped using creativity as my main means of communication. I’m grateful that my artwork and designs have been recognized by some of the biggest institutions and brands in the world, and I’m excited for what’s to come!
Q: Your early influences were a fascinating mix of cultures, including Japanese calligraphy, Latin script, graffiti, and Slavic mysticism. How did you find these special elements and decide to incorporate them into your artwork?
I was introduced to calligraphy at a young age through a course I took during a summer vacation. For some reason, the act of writing and all of its cultural variations stuck in my mind. Whether it’s Japanese calligraphy or Western script, writing has really had a huge impact on all of my work. I believe that the written word has great power and that these words can take any form.
Q: How do you integrate different cultural perspectives into your art? How does that resonate with audiences around the world?
Growing up as an immigrant in the United States in a culturally diverse area shaped my identity. I have been fortunate to travel the world through my work, and I strive to translate those experiences into my artwork. My goal is to connect with people on a subconscious level, regardless of their background.
Q: What inspires you to keep pushing your artistic boundaries?
I am deeply inspired by evolving technologies and their ability to reach larger scales and audiences around the world. Having worked in various global markets and industries, my goal is to share my work with the world with the aim of leaving a lasting legacy.
Discover the entire range of artistic media and projects
Q: Can you tell us about a project that took you outside of your comfort zone?
Many years ago, I was commissioned to direct my first short film, Scritura Vitae, for the BBC and Channel 4 in the UK. This started as a simple concept but grew into one of the most life-changing projects I have ever worked on. I had to learn how to make films myself while making the film! That one job really set the stage for many of my major projects to come.
Q: Your broad portfolio spans pop culture, fashion, technology, and more. What inspires you to choose the medium for different projects?
My process is very different depending on the project. From designing fashion collections to designing live art shows for Carnegie Hall, the medium follows the concept. There is no single approach that works for all of these different uses of creativity.
I look at each project individually, trying to find the best way to create a memorable and moving play or performance. I always start by thinking about a concept for a piece before trying to figure out how best to present it.
Q: You have collaborated with brands and cultural icons such as Jeff Koons, Nike, and Mr. Children, and your art has been exhibited in prestigious venues around the world. How have these experiences shaped you?
These are definitely some of my “greatest hits,” and they certainly gave me confidence and motivation to push the boundaries of my work. However, the arts industry can be a volatile and rapidly changing landscape. There are no guarantees in an artist’s career; in order to maintain artistic relevance, one must constantly strive to redefine oneself.
Connecting artists and audiences through The Frame and Samsung Art Store
Q: What was your experience of partnering with the Samsung Art Store?
It was really amazing. I was thrilled that so many friends and new followers came and mentioned that they had seen my work at the art store. It’s a wonderful platform, and I look forward to continuing to work on it and create work for it!
I really appreciate brands that understand the value of art and genuinely want to support artists and their artwork. The art market has changed radically in recent years, and I believe that it needs big players that come up with innovative ideas for new platforms and ways of interacting with a wide audience. I think Samsung is doing just that in a unique way.
Q: Can you tell us about the technique behind your signature ethereal ink paintings? How do they appear in The Frame?
My work is created using a completely practical, non-digital technique that I have developed through years of experimentation. These works began with my film “Scritura Vitae” and were later exhibited at MoMA. I love the way my work is presented on The Frame. It’s a great feeling to see them living in people’s homes now. The aesthetics and the calibration of the frame make everything special!
Q: Can you recommend three of your favorite pieces from the Art Store?
The beauty of the Art Store is that you can change the artwork depending on your mood. Some of my favorites are listed below, but be sure to check them all out! There will be more coming soon, so stay tuned!
â–² CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021)
CHROMIS IOMELAS MMXXI (2021) is from my Living Paintings series, which embodies the fluidity and movement of my process.
â–² VERSALIS GOTEO MMXXII (2022)
VERSALIS DRIP MMXXII (2022) is a playful use of color as color. This work is from a more recent series of works originally created as 60-foot (20-meter) murals for the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, Florida. The concept was to create a dynamic display of fluid painting while playing with the size of the artwork, which was to be rendered in a trompe l’oeil context.
â–² THE BRUSH OF VERSAIL 2021 (2021)
Versael Brush MMXXI (2021) features meticulous calligraphy that looks fantastic in The Frame’s crisp 4K. This piece reflects my longstanding passion for calligraphy and the written word. These large paintings are steeped in multicultural symbolism, attempting to find beauty in the pattern and rhythm of the calligraphic strokes and script used in the artwork.
Pushing the boundaries of art through technology
Q: Your work often combines art with various forms of technology. How do you think this intersection will shape the future of art?
Art history cannot be separated from the advancement of technology. Their stories are infinitely linked. As a huge tech nerd, technology is an area that I find endlessly fascinating and inspiring.
With the proliferation of artificial intelligence, we are certainly entering a whole new era, and I’m excited to be a part of pushing creative paths with technology. I look forward to working on projects in this area and am happy to combine them with the practices I have developed throughout my career.
Q: Can you give us a little insight into some of the projects you are working on?
I look forward to working on major projects in various metropolitan areas, including Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Riyadh, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi. These projects range from large installations for large hotels to massive digital art installations in brand new city centers.
I am also working on some new projects in the gaming space, which, as an avid gamer, makes me very excited. This year I will also be launching my own collection of luxurious Japanese whiskey, sake, shochu, and wine with award-winning Japanese distillery Nishi Shuzo. Eventually, I want to open a big art studio in Los Angeles.
