Painting by Alex Grey

There’s only one artist who I think is better than Picasso, Da Vinci and Monet combined - that’s a huge statement, isn’t it? It’s Alex Grey. My favourite artist in the history of art! This man is a genius. Not only because of his designs and use of colour, but because he combines spirituality, science and art in a way that’s never been seen before.

Even as a child Alex was aware of death. He would draw skulls and skeletons in beautiful form, and bury dead bugs and animals in his backyard. He studied Art and Design for two years from 1971-73, quit, then attended the Boston Museum School for a year, where he would meet his future wife. During this period he went through “a series of entheogenically induced mystical experiences that transformed his agnostic existentialism to a radical transcendentalism.” Alex then spent five years at Harvard Medical School working in the anatomy department studying the body, and also worked on scientific experiments to study subtle healing energies.

You might be familiar with his album art for Tool, Nirvana or the Beastie Boys.

It’s fascinating to read his biography as his life journeys are quite evident in his art. His paintings display a blend of postmodernism and visionary art. He integrates religious symbols and icons, the supernatural, the natural world, auras, the human anatomy, geometric shapes, tessellations, nudes; all in the aim to relay a message. Some viewers have said that they feel an elevated or spiritual state just by viewing his pieces. I find I can look at his art for hours. Every piece is extremely intricate and meaningful.

If you have a close look at the painting below, Gaia, it depicts two aeroplanes which are seemingly about to crash into the twin towers. Mind you, this was painted in 1989. A prediction of the 9/11 attacks? That’s pretty freaky, if you ask me!

Gaia by Alex Grey

At the moment Alex has created, with his wife and artist Allyson Rymland Grey, The Sacred Chapel of Mirrors in New York, where a series of fifty paintings examine the body, mind and spirit in stunning detail. (Oh, how I wish I lived in New York!!) If you’re lucky enough to live nearby then you should really check them out. Or you might want to check out his video instead (which I’ve done) or even take a guided video tour with him here. Enjoy his brilliance!

Big love,