Globe-trotting gives artist
his own unique vocabulary
Ludvic Saleh speaks
to the world
through his canvas
SOUTH BRUNSWICK — Local artist Ludvic Saleh is talking to the world as his brush strokes the canvas.
"Abstract art is a language like Chinese; you have to learn to understand it," Saleh said in between sips of espresso Sunday morning at Pierre’s Restaurant on Georges Road.
The Egyptian-born artist was taking a breakfast break between sessions of his art exhibit at Dow Jones.
"The geometric shapes are the future of art," he said.
Saleh studied art in Egypt and Europe between 1965-73, then lived and worked in Canada for several years before coming to this central New Jersey town.
Saleh seemed a bundle of energy the night before at the opening of the exhibit at the Route 1 corporation, bouncing from patron to patron, shaking hands and discussing the 30 paintings on display.
Now, he was tired.
"It can be draining," Saleh said of working the crowd.
The artist said that creating a new painting gives him the energy to promote it.
"Art is a business; you have to have a good staff around you," he said.
Saleh explained that the process of creating a piece is hard work, but it is done in solitude.
"It can take three months to come up with a concept," Saleh said. "Then there are how many wasted canvases and materials until you are happy."
Once he finishes a work, he has the energy to go out and promote it.
Saleh’s exhibit was the inaugural event of the South Brunswick Arts Commission, a group which aims to help people appreciate art and develop a love of art in the community.
"That is the goal, more art appreciation," Saleh said. "People are hungry for good art."
Saleh credits his globe-trotting background with bringing a new "vocabulary" to the language of art.
With his abstract style, Saleh said, the observer interprets for himself when he looks at a painting.
"Just let your mind go free," Saleh said.
Saleh said that the content of his paintings is "the language I deal with."
"Art doesn’t have to tell a story. You put the story together," he said, adding that he does have to follow some rules in creating his art, but "the technical part is easy."
Saleh left to grab a short nap before heading to the next session of his exhibit, bidding good-bye to old friends from Canada who had come to see his exhibit. They were also creative people — an inventor, a writer and a filmmaker.