An interview with: Gyuri Lohmuller

Astral speak with visionary artist Gyuri Lohmuller to explore the ideas behind his surreal worlds and the symbolic depth behind his paintings.

Born in Romania (1962) and self-taught in the fine arts, Lohmuller has spent decades developing a style that offers a window into the subconscious, layered with emotion, geometry, and mysticism. In this interview, we explore the artist's origins & inspirations...

'The Persistence of the Knowledge Molecule'

"I've never seen someone painting, not even how to begin. It came all alone by many testing. After a while I've sold a few paintings and that gave me the courage to continue. It was very difficult because of my themes, in the time of full-blown communism in Romania I was forbidden. Since that time I reach to survive by my paintings but very, very hard. Even today, I have not money to buy a photo camera to make captures of my artworks. I left my job 20 years ago taking the risk, but believing in art... I reach to survive from my paintings, but very hard... For me, art is something vital, it’s something inseparably to my body." - Gyuri Lohmuller (Artavita)

Read on below for our full interview with Gyuri Lohmuller...

'The Tool'

Was there a particular moment you remember that inspired you to pursue surrealist painting? 

Long before I started painting, I came across an album by Hieronymus Bosch. It made a huge impression on me, and that's probably where this dream started.

'When The Memory Returns'

What does Surrealism mean to you?

Surrealism offers me a very wide space of expression in which I can actually develop my symbolism. I am not looking for surrealism, I have never looked for it, it is just a space for my messages to unfold. It offers me a freedom to combine certain elements that together give a message.

'Short Remembrance of Zeus'

How much has mysticism and esotericism inspired the symbolic imagery in your artwork?

Of course I am constantly concerned with these things. And I study them all the time. In many cases I feel that I resonate with them. The main question I am looking for an answer to: how can creationism and evolutionism be reconciled?

'Between Two Worlds'

Do you find that you are inspired by your dreams? 

This is the difference between me and the surrealists. I don't use the subconscious, but on the contrary, I really try to be very conscious when I create. I like to be rational in order to be able to convey a clear or understandable idea.

'A Different Same'

Could you tell us about the process of creating a painting?

I generally start from a conflict, whether social or philosophical, interpersonal relationship, etc. And I look for my images as words, to express myself. I have that idea, which often has a taste/aroma because I associate painting with gastronomy. And I often paint according to the taste or aroma that I want to give. That gives me the ambiance of the painting. I generally focus on a painting that fits in 3-4 weeks. A longer duration I am sure would bore me and empty me of the necessary tension.

'The Ecu Man'

Aside from painting, where else do you find that your are inspired the most?

Over time, of course, I have assimilated my preferences, both from novels, from other paintings, from films even. Among novelists: Dostoevsky, Vasari, etc. Vasari educated me a lot before I became a painter. The lives of the painters described by him gave me the basis (foundation) of painting because I did not go to art school. Through him, I educated myself. Among painters: the great classics and the surrealists. Because without the great classics I would not have done anything. I manifest myself classically, to render each element separately. Not stylized, not abstracted. And the classics did this.

'Living On The Edge'

Are there any particular periods of history that fascinate you? 

The Middle Ages. I don't know why it fascinates me, I like Gothic. If I were to go by reason, I would say Renaissance but the feeling is different. The feeling takes me towards Gothic and everything associated with it, architecture, music, etc. I always think about how difficult people lived in that period Thanks to them we live today.

'Fear of the Future'

What does the word 'Spirituality' mean to you?

First of all, I don't like the idea that man is the end of the food chain and I dislike the arrogance of believing that there is nothing and no one above man. If that were the case, woe to this universe! I detach myself from everyday materialism and this allows me to exist spiritually.

'No Way'

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You can follow Gyuri Lohmuller via his Instagram to discover more of his art.

- ASTRAL Magazine