New art: Al Petelin

A couple of months ago, I showcased the Spongleheim Gallery as a Fun Friday Resource. The exhibit at the time, ONE, had a piece that I really liked — Improvisation I by Al Petelin — so I went to the artist’s website to see if it were for sale.

I found much to like there, but not Improvisation I. I contacted Steve at the gallery to ask if it were for sale. He didn’t know but put me in touch with Al.

There followed a series of emails, and the end of the story is that I bought the piece and in doing so became very impressed with Aleksandr Vitalevich Petelin. (The whole story is hysterically funny as I figured out how to send money — dollars! — to Gazprom Bank (!) in Russia. I’m probably on a couple of watchlists now. Well, a couple more watchlists…)

(I was going to brag that now I am an international art collector, but I already bought the Hamann and the Picasso. Oops, there was the brag.)

Here is the piece:

Improvisation I, Al Petelin

Here it is framed, from Fine Lines’s Instagram. I like how I’m described as a “local art collector.”

Here it is hung next to the Hamann.

And here is the artist.

Al Petelin

Aleksandr V. Petelin — you go by Al, right? Tell us about yourself.

Yes, in international communication, I prefer to introduce myself as Al. My full name, with a patronymic (this is how it is adopted in Russia) exists only in the documentation and on the official details. In other cases, I'm Al.

To be honest, I don't really like to tell stories about myself, it seems to me that it's not so interesting.

Although I can share basic, boring information that I am 22 years old, was born in the South of Russia, and I am a self-taught artist. I had several lessons in academic drawing, but having understood everything I needed and because of disagreements in views on art with teachers, I continued studying art on my own. In the morning I like to smoke a cigarette with coffee and the only thing I'm interested in is art in which I'm just a tool.

Tell us about where you live, in Astrakhan, Russia. I’m curious about its cultural life: art, music, theatre, dance.

The place where I am currently based, Astrakhan, is the provincial river city located in the south of Russia. It is a city, as many call it, of contrasts since in summer the temperature reaches 50° C (122° F) and in winter it is very cold. This is a city saturated with a large number of different nationalities and layers of cultures, mainly from the east, which leaves a big imprint on culture and everyday life.

As for the cultural life (art, music, theatre, dance) you're asking about, I'll say this, in my opinion, it's totally fucked up. 

I am completely dissatisfied with what is happening. Although all this exists — there are theaters, museums, dances and all this really exists — but the way it is presented, how it develops, the level of production, quality, I don't like it, and I have nothing to do with it, I stand aside. So I have a lot of disagreements with the cultural part of this city, although sometimes I visit jazz concerts that occasionally take place. I really love jazz.

And the path of the artist is difficult here, any separation from the mass is not understood, and is not encouraged, the opportunity to be represented is a difficult task. I can describe it all like this: I remember when I used to sell my paintings on the street for 5-6 dollars, but people pass by because a person here is more concerned about feeding his family than paying attention to art. He is preoccupied with his own problems. Well, you know what I mean..

And that's just part of it. Therefore , I have nothing to do with what is happening here..

Therefore, I am very grateful to my parents, because since childhood I was surrounded by good music, there was a lot of literature, art and educating my own view on things, think and love of freedom.

How did you become an artist?

Honestly, I do not know, I never planned or wanted to be an artist, it happened by itself, as if it had always been.

Your art is very assured, as is your website. Are there ideas that you want to transmit or themes that appear often?

You know, I wouldn't call what I do is assured. I'm still in the process of finding myself how to put it better... I found myself, definitely... but the form is changing, I am constantly developing and evolving.. Some elements are changing, some are not. It's all in a constant flow of ideas and thoughts.

But I really don't like to talk about stuffing, ideas and meanings, you know. I constantly say that the language of art is already a definite language and translating everything into words is not good, it limits and puts your thoughts and feelings within a certain framework of understanding these words.

Therefore, I will refrain from commenting on themes and ideas that I hunt, no matter how beautiful, long and deep it will still be less than it is or not. Who knows — I also like to say that painting already has everything you need and not at the same time. 

What can you tell us about Improvisation I, the piece that I bought?

Improvisation 1, in my opinion, is one of the successful works that I have done, but I am very critical of my work, and I don't like most of it.

Improvisation 1 is one of the improvisations, that's what I call the works that are made according to the principle of free associations. I often practice an unconscious, uncontrolled process in a meditative form when I don't think about what I do and think and try not to think about what I don't think and do — this is some kind of putting myself in a trance and what comes out in the end I try not to control myself: lines, images and solutions are created by themselves.

I don't want to be too clever, but this form of expression is quite effective and honest, but it needs to be practiced like any form of meditation.

What advice would you give to any artist who is unsure of themselves?

I don't think I'm going to say something smart and my advice will be helpful 

but 

I guess that self-doubt is already good in a sense, it's some kind of reflection that can lead you to something good if you don't give up, take a little time, doubt yourself a little and then take the damn pencil or paint and do it if you really like it. If this is your being. And if this is your being, then this is your being and doubts are a temporary phenomenon. Remember, a damn pencil or paint. I will allow myself a little philosophy: Life is a meaningless abstract capricious thing, is it worth wasting your time on doubts? Have fun.

Peace!