Scottish visual artist Lewis Deeney’s work is instantly recognizable; interlocking geometric forms bring a paradoxical harmony to the gestural abstraction of the painted surface. The result is a compelling interplay of chaos and order, creating transcendent paintings with an iridescent glow as colours glimmer upon the textured surface. Recently we spoke with him from his hometown of Dumbarton, near Glasgow.

What are your own roots?
Scottish, I was born in Scotland and both my parents are Scottish. My great grandparents on both sides have Irish roots and emigrated to Scotland but I don’t know many details about it. The name Deeney is contested between Scottish and Irish origin, but regardless of where it originated there was much cross over between them.

When and why did you first become interested in the visual arts?
It was never obvious I was going to be an artist; I was always creative and dotted between different thing but never had much of a focus. It wasn’t until my late teens that I began to pursue the visual arts, however, I was late to mature (still in the process) and didn’t take it seriously enough until my early twenties when I was half-way through art school. In reflection, I was always searching for a way to express myself yet didn’t find an outlet until abstract painting, and when I did, it captivated me. I was obsessed and have passionately pursued it ever since. Art is a way for me to understand myself and the world, to explore big questions that don’t necessarily have an answer. It is a spiritual pursuit that connects me with something beyond myself.

Are they the same reasons that you continue to be involved today?
The essence is the same yet expressed in different ways. I feel compelled to create, it’s a compulsion that I feel lost without. Art makes me feel more myself, more connected and more whole. It is still a personal spiritual journey…however, I now believe I have a purpose to share my art with the world. Art at its best is a message of hope, a vehicle for change, to awaken us from our daydreams and see the world from a new perspective. The more that art – in all its formats – is created and shared, the better the world will become as it forces us to question our assumptions, both of the world and of ourselves, connects us with something larger than ourselves, and gives us a vision of a more beautiful world.

How has your work evolved over the years?
The pivotal moment in my creative journey was when I started using a laser cutter. Up until that point my art was unrefined and exploratory. I had a love of abstract painting and of complex geometric structures, often created digitally, but I had not found a way to combine them. I then started using the laser cutter to cut my geometric composition out of my abstract paintings. It was an epiphany moment and unification of two separate, seemingly incompatible interests, which – when combined – created the foundational basis of my art practice to this day. I have practiced yoga for around 10 years, and at that stage of my life I was reading a lot of eastern philosophy and travelled to India. I was captivated by the mandala, its spiritual significance, symbolism, and beautiful aesthetics. My art at this time was inspired by mandalas, predominately from Eastern spiritualty. After graduating, I completed an MFA, during which I became interested in technology, humanity’s relationship to it, and how it is changing our understanding of ourselves. Using the same process, I began creating portraits rather than mandalas. After art school I moved to Northern Ireland for a year before returning to Scotland, and it was during this time that I began to explore my own roots and Celtic heritage, right in my homeland. It’s funny; we often overlook what is right in front of us and I was enticed by the exotic nature of distant spirituality. That shift towards Celtic spirituality was reflected in my art, as for me they are intertwined. The geometric complexity of Celtic art is mesmerizing and a rich source of inspiration. I feel that it is the art that is most authentically me and I am proud to continue the tradition, breathing new life into the past and expressing it in a new way.

What are the challenges of the vocation?
Probably the volatility of it all; lots of ups and downs, particularly emotionally. The excitement of an exhibition, sale, or award makes the stagnation feel even lower by comparison. This is when self-doubt creeps as it is hard not to connect your self-worth to your art when you pour so much of yourself into it. It takes time to develop a mindset to protect yourself psychologically from this, something I have improved on but remains an ongoing challenge. The commodification of art is also a challenge, and thinking of money can take the magic away from creation. The reality, however, is that it’s necessary to continue creating. The instability of finances is a challenge, as being an artist is expensive with many hidden costs.

What are the rewards?
Being in the studio and creating is a reward in itself. The creative process is a joy also, and being driven by an idea is one of my favourite states to be in. I also love the experience of sharing my art, whether its exhibitions, sales, or visitors in the studio, it’s always joyous when someone meaningfully connects with my work. Because my art is abstract, it’s very open to interpretation, and I enjoy hearing what people see within it, regardless of their prior knowledge of art. I appreciate hearing the unique perspective of someone’s subjective experience and genuinely curiosity, as it often teaches me more about my own art.

What have been some career highlights to date?
Representing Scotland at the Festival Interceltique, the world’s largest Celtic gathering, in Brittany last year was a big one. It was the first exhibition where I showed my Celtic inspired works. The whole experience was wonderful, from connecting with the Scottish delegation of the Highland dancers and the pipe bands to exhibiting artists from the other Celtic nations and all the people I met in-between. I felt proud to be a part of it and deeply connected to my Celtic roots. My first year after leaving art school I exhibited at the Fire Station Creative, Fife, for my solo show ‘Becoming’, this was a special show as it was my first solo show in an established gallery and brought together a diverse range of paintings from the previous few years and very much showed the beginnings of my creative journey.

Is your creative process more ‘inspirational’ or ‘perspirational’?
They are both two side of the same coin and work synergistically together. At certain times one might be more dominant, such as when an idea lights up my mind and energizes my soul. However, to turn that idea into reality there is a lot of work involved, lots of graft – much of which ca be mundane. However, because it is fuelled by inspiration, the mundane work doesn’t feel so mundane. New ideas often come during these times too, which can sometimes be a distraction and lead me off on a tangent. But it is important to capture the gift of inspiration when it arrives and save it for later. Ideas often brew in my head for a while, I can be working on a current project with ideas exploding in my mind for projects that will be years down the line. Getting back to your question, I would say inspiration because that is the fuel that motivates me to do the hard work and power through.

What makes your work unique?
Firstly, my creative process; I use a laser cutter to cut intricate geometric patterns that are combined with colourful, abstract expressionist painting. My art is also a unique fusion of old and new – I explore the art of the ancient past which serves as inspiration for my work, which is created in a contemporary way. It is a bridge between the past and present, all the while asking questions as fundamental as what it means to be human and why did we first start making art? There is a raw expression in my art – I embrace imperfections – and the hand of the artist is very truly present. In a world of commercial, machine-made reproductions, I want my work to feel very human, to feel alive. The human element is contrasted with the precision of the laser cut pieces, which again I embrace – symbolic of our modern times with the interplay of humanity and technology. But artists have always embraced the latest technology, which has only added to the cultural significance of the artwork.

What makes a good painting?
A difficult, but important question to ask and attempt to answer. We can intellectualize about it all day but when a painting is good you just feel it in your gut – it is visceral and often undeniable. This will be different for every person, as art is incredibly subjective, which is part of its beauty. Personally, I believe one of the most important attributes in a painting is authenticity – when an artist connects with, and expresses, something higher than themselves, whether they are aware of it or not. Passion is evident in the paint; it gives it life and an energy. That said, all passion with no precision, care and forethought results in an explosion on the canvas, which at times can be good, but often not. A good painting is a balance between artistic passion and precision, regardless of subject, technique, or style. When an artist connects with something beyond themselves, commits to it, and puts in the work, good art will follow.

What is it about Scotland that is so inspiring?
The Highlands are simply magical, and I love being there. The earthy colours are constantly changing with the seasons, and in Scotland it is not unusual to experience multiple seasons in the one day. Our characteristic rain makes the rays of sunshine that much more beautiful. The Highlands are so sparsely populated too – cities are often too busy for me. I feel inspired in the open spaces of the Highlands, it is so beautiful and peaceful. Culturally, Scotland’s ancient past inspires me greatly; the castles, customs, stone carvings, and the diverse mix of people who have called Scotland home, all come together to create a unique history which has offered me a wealth of inspiration to create paintings from. Celtic art, a very broad term indeed, is geometrically complex. It is fascinating how the Celts were able to draw it and then carve it into stone and metal – beyond impressive, considering the tools they had. So, the Highlands inspire my soul and Celtic culture gives me a way to express it.

What’s on your creative agenda for the rest of 2024?
I have a show opening this summer titled ‘The Sky is Dreaming,’ at the Fire Station Creative, in Fife, Scotland, from July 5 – 28. I am very excited for this show and I have given it my all – these are all new paintings and inspired by Scotland’s Celtic past. I will also be attending my first art fair in London in September which I am excited for. Artistically, I have had ideas for a series of public sculptures brewing in my mind for quite some time that I intend to bring into being, also inspired by Celtic culture. That will be a new challenge for me which I am really excited about.

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