By DAVID ALLEGRETI
“I don’t think about art when I’m working. I try to think about life.”
This was the philosophy of the late American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 1988 at the age of 27, Basquiat passed away. Although he is gone, his legacy lives on through the works of 19-year-old Hugo Racz.
Basquiat used his works to spread a political message, addressing issues such as colonialism and support for class struggle, and his paintings were a “springboard to deeper truths about the individual”.
In much the same way, Racz’s works delve deeper than what merely meets the eye.
“The way people socialise and interact with each other is pretty interesting and this has influenced my work for sure – I try and make a spiritual and psychological manifestation which externalises from within with the characters that I’m drawing,” Racz said.
The young Sassafras local is gearing up for his first solo exhibition to be held on Friday 23 May after impressing Amy Middleton, VCE Creative Showcase curator at Burrinja.
“I was blown away by Hugo’s work when I first saw it at Upwey High School. His collection of digital prints and paintings are raw, edgy, authentic, and brave,” Ms Middleton said.
“The fusion of uninhibited mark making and clashing colours in his work is eye-catching and has undercurrents of aggressive playfulness. What also caught my attention were the clues that litter the canvas and give a glimpse into Hugo’s thoughts and observations of the world around him,” she added.
Having graduated from VCE last year, the talented Racz draws his inspiration from his graffiti background – again enticing comparisons to the revered Basquiat.
“My style is a lo-fi sort of grungy, graffiti inspired portraiture. I kind of look at society pretty negative in general, but at the same time I try and keep my artwork light hearted and colourful, so it try to keep it fifty-fifty in that way,” Racz said.
It has been a time of transition for Racz. As he looks to get into a fine art tertiary course next year, his first solo exhibition, aptly titled, “Tabula Rasa” which, as Racz explains, refers to “starting again”, appears much closer on the horizon.
“Having finished school last year, I feel as though I have moved onto a new chapter in my life. My routine has totally changed and my mind is fresh, it’s as though I am starting again; a clean slate.”
His exhibition opens officially on Friday 23 May at 6.30pm at the Burrinja Cultural Centre and runs until 15 June.
