It’s a great pleasure for Aujourd’hui to present Christian Rosa as our brand new interview. Don’t be fooled by the reckless attitude and cool looks, Christian Rosa is not just any other emerging artist. He is the seminal art world success story, with works flying from his studio in Los Angeles to exhibitions at White Cube and Saatchi Gallery in London, Venice Biennale and many others. Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in Vienna, his paintings have an improvisational feel that uplifts all the right cadences and rhythms throughout the canvas. Read our interview to find out Christian’s remaining goals, what he thinks about abstract optimism and what happened with the infamous Ferrari.

You were born in Brazil and raised in Austria. What was your background like? How did you become an artist?
I was born in Brazil and I moved to Europe (Vienna) because my parents felt that it was too dangerous back then. So, Vienna is where I grew up, went to school and university. It is also where I studied at the Academy of Fine Arts. 

Now you live and work in Los Angeles, how is it like to work and live there?
It's amazing. There aren't as many social things that I have to attend like I would in New York or in the UK. I like to be left alone and just do my thing and I think in Los Angeles I am still able to do so.

You're now in your early 30's and have already exhibited your work at White Cube in London, Saatchi Gallery, Venice Biennale, amongst many others. What is left for Christian Rosa to do? What are your ambitions in life?
Doing better works and never stop evolving. There is so much more to achieve such as serious museum shows, and hopefully, to last for the next 30 years. This is a tough business, and as fast as you came up, you can be gone too.  So, all I am concentrating on is in doing good work and I hope that it will all continue to work out.

The Guardian newspaper has described your work as "abstract optimism". What are your thoughts on this?
I loved The Guardian. It's such a nice review and I am happy for this description of "abstract optimism". I am happy when people see my works positively. There are so many haters out there and I am just trying to do good works for you and me.

Could you tell us more about your process?
Going to the studio and working from 10 to 10.

You are often compared to the greatest artists of the 20th and 21st century and your market has also been on of the hottest in the last few years. How does such a young artists achieve this success and notoriety?
Work, work, work. 10 AM to 10 PM the minimum, and of course, having abilities and talent.
 
Have you washed your Ferrari yet?
Nope. I gave it to a homeless.

Exclusive interview by Aujourd'hui.
Images courtesy of the artist and CFA Berlin.
Christian Rosa - www.christianrosa.com