ERNEST COMPTA
- ARTISTIC HUB MAGAZINE
- Oct 31, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 6
BARCELONA | SPAIN
An artist who reveals profound emotion through his portraits
Meet Ernest Compta, an artist whose works radiate emotion and reveal the essence of the human experience through striking portraits. His distinctive art, focused entirely on the human face, has reached galleries across several continents. In each piece, the eyes draw us into the soul, creating a lasting connection between art and humanity.
Before we explore your art, could you introduce yourself to our readers? Tell us a bit about your background, how your path led you into the world of art, and what drives your creativity.
There isn’t much to say about me. Like many from my generation, I studied architecture, but the economic crisis of 2008 forced me to rethink my career. I don’t really see myself as an artist. I’ve never claimed to be one, nor have I ever felt a strong calling or great inspiration in my life.
How would you describe your style and the way you express yourself through painting? What emotions or ideas do you hope to communicate through your work?
My style isn’t something I deliberately pursue. There’s no attempt to paint like any particular artist. It has simply emerged through repetition. The paintings are connected to one another, yet they don’t follow any aesthetic principle or theory that defines them.
As for the message, I don’t believe there is just one. Each painting speaks in its own voice. Sometimes this is reflected in its title, but those are only the words it whispers to me once it is finished. Others might perceive something completely different. The message ultimately belongs to the observer.
Can you describe how you create artistic expression through faces?
My creative process is quite simple. I just paint. Rather quickly. Sometimes I overthink. Lately, I tend to paint in the afternoons, in dim light, almost always with music playing. I work on paper, using acrylics and a few colors. I’m not sure why, perhaps out of habit or simplicity.
Which feature of the human face fascinates you the most, and why?
The eyes. People speak through them. Sometimes a single look is more powerful than any words. Even with closed eyes, one can still convey emotion and presence.
Your art focuses entirely on the human face. What draws you to the expression of human emotions, and how do you see the relationship between art and the human spirit?
Human emotion is endless. Language often falls short when it comes to expressing feelings. Painting is another attempt, perhaps even a futile one, to understand one another.
Your works are remarkably expressive, filled with emotional depth. How do you achieve such intensity in your portraits?
The intensity comes from immediacy. There are moments when I simply need to stand before the easel. I lose interest if I work on a painting for too long. Usually, the essence appears within a few strokes. After that, I finish it almost out of duty, trying not to embellish or alter what it already communicates.
You have exhibited your work across the world. How do cultural differences shape the way audiences perceive your art?
I believe culture has little effect on how people see my paintings. Anyone can look at one of them and recognize an expression, a glance, or an emotion that feels familiar—either from someone they know or from themselves.
How do you envision the future of art in the digital era? Do you feel technology opens new possibilities or challenges the authenticity of artistic creation?
The digital age certainly opens new possibilities. It helps me share my work with others, but creativity will always remain the foundation of artistic expression.
Finally, where can people explore and purchase your art?
My work can be found on Instagram, Facebook, and my website, where anyone is welcome to get in touch with me.
Photographs: Artist's Archive
