Alex Gross is an artist, illustrator, and author well known for his surreal imagery which presents an encrypted vision of the world. His oil paintings provide a platform for conversation, largely due to the juxtaposition of themes such as violence and beauty. These combinations result in highly effective and moving pieces. Gross, like many artists, finds inspiration from his personal life and events of the world. These inspirations result in works that appear to conceptualize the idea of an apocalyptic warning and a period of conflicting interests. Spirituality often plays a haunting role in Gross’ work for which the Japanese culture and street art has been a huge influence.
Alex Gross’ 2012 solo exhibition ‘Product Placement’ displayed at the Jonathan LeVine Gallery, saw notes of vintage photography as well as the combination of renaissance references together with modern themes and imagery. Gross enjoys manipulating images and ideas that fascinate and elude, not only his public, but he himself. This makes for images that one will attempt to dissect and understand, often to no avail.