We have changed very little in the last 2ooo years. Stanley Gonczanski, a true renaissance man, captures the real essence of our culture and behaviour and throws it back to us through his unique, witty, ironic illustrations. Almost Classic, his first art series, grabs the Master´s art pieces of the 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, changing their meaning completely, giving us a very contemporary and totally new reading of our society. His ideas come to life almost surprisingly, with a great collection of art pieces that can be understood and thought about globally.
Gonczanski is an Argentinian filmmaker, creative director and illustrator. He was born in the beautiful city of Buenos Aires Argentina. Developed a background in Advertising at the very young age of 18. At 25 he became the General Creative Director at the Leo Burnett Colombia.
There he produced and directed his first commercial spot which landed him the Clio Award. As an artist, it is safe to say that his skills did not stop at being content within that field. He went on pursuing a film career and moved to Santiago de Chile and opened his own production company named Stanley Films & Friends.
His commercial films have participated in the most prestigious of festivals in New York, Cannes, London, Achap, Clio just to name a few. His company has been named one of the five best Latino-American production companies from 1994 to 2002. He went on to win the MTV Music Video Awards for his first Music Video and has been a finalist three more times since then.
Stanley’s background can only paint him as an amazing artist. Apart from film and advertising, he is an amazing visual artist as well. Stanley has submerged in his first artwork series which he calls “Almost Classic”. Being passionate about the classic masters he found a way to touch our society’s crucial issues, using his classic pieces as a platform. His oils and digital art collages use subtle humour and blunt irony to give a very modern message that can be understood globally. In 2018 Gonczanski took part in exhibitions in London, Florence, Santiago, Miami, Dubai and Taipei. In 2020 he created Buenos Aires Gallery City, and an urban exhibition using billboards. Due to the success of this, Santiago Gallery City opened with 60 Led screens around the city.
Self-taught or art school?
I am self-taught in art. I studied and worked in Advertising as a Creative Director, and also studied Filmmaking at NYU. I opened my film production house, Stanleyfilms, a long time ago and decided to begin in art four years ago. I have worked and exhibited internationally my Almost Classic art series since then.
If you could own one work of art what would it be?
The work of art that have struck my heart most is Madame Le Fèvre de Caumartin as Hebe, by Jean Marc Nattier, 1753. This portrait in beyond beautiful and subtle. Perfection that transforms into eternal emotion.
How would you describe your style?
Almost Classic.
Can you tell us about your artistic process?
There are several ways I approach a new artwork.
My creative process comes from advertising as it has been my lifetime school. I react immediately to any input. I discovered by accident, that every time I saw an artwork form the Great Masters, there was something missing. Like they were asking for a punchline to complete a message. I began to play around with this idea, changing those masterpieces and giving them a new meaning. I never mix modern objects interacting with the classical characters, I think that´s too easy. I address the problems of our society using the Great Master´s artworks only, mixing them in new ways. I work mainly with digital collages and some selected ones are also painted in oil on canvas.
Is narrative important within your work?
It is essential. I am a storyteller. I always tell a mini-story, a glimpse of a moment with alternative meanings. I need the viewer to be part of it.
Who are your favourite artists and why?
My idol is Norman Rockwell. I think the way he did. His way of finding the heart of any moment and treat is as an insight that moves me. Edward Hopper has the same effect on me, his atmospheres transport me inside his paintings. And Giovanni Battista Moroni, an amazing Master of the 16th century, his incredible modern feeling portraits could have been done today.
What or who inspires your art?
Everything that is happening to humankind.
Where’s your studio and what’s it like?
I work anywhere, anywhere in the world, on my computer, but I prefer my couch.
Do you have any studio rituals?
No. I just work every day non-stop. I need to create. I began 4 years ago, and 1015 artworks later I still feel there´s a lot more to do.
What are you working on currently?
I am currently exhibiting in Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile with my Gallery City shows. My artworks are shown in dozens of big advertising billboards circuits around those cities. Printed and also in Led Screens.
Where can we buy your art?
You can buy them directly from me.
On my Instagram: stanleyunlimited Stanley Gonczanskiyou will find all the artworks.
They can be acquired as a limited edition, hand-signed Giclée prints, or as unique oils on canvas.
