Artworks by Lino Boga-Rios

I create art because I love it. I spent many years not being creative and realised about 15 years ago that this was missing in my life and, at that point, I primarily created art for myself. It was only after taking part in a group exhibition that I realised that people enjoyed my art too and I decided to sell it. 

Negative space and light play a big part in my practice. I have a studio in the garden and I often keep my work at the window and look across at it at different times of the day. I like to see how light and distance changes perspective. I bring this back with me when I’m back in the studio and it feels I’m bringing something new to the piece. It influences what I build or carve, what I add and what I leave.

My work usually starts with a sketch. I often do quick finger sketches on my phone when I’m travelling around. I like the immediacy of having to create a sketch quickly as it reveals a shape and I don’t have time to obsess about detail. These can be quite commonplace in origin.

I rarely, however, replicate my sketches in solid form. The shapes and spaces I’ve sketched usually serve as a starting point. I enjoy exploring where the edges are and can be, how shapes intersect, how the form organically reveals itself and the mood of the piece.