Interview with El Mac

Deck the Walls – Interview – El Mac

This is sort of a no-brainer. Over the past few years, there have not been many artists who have generated the attention and energy than El Mac. Its obvious why: his murals with Retna, as well as his solo work, are unlike the work of any artist today. His last show at FIFTY24SF Gallery in the Summer of 2009 featured eight faces, 7 women and 1 man, all peering over onlookers almost as if they should be hanging in a church. They were dynamic, but as with all of his work, there is almost something holy going on.

It seems like our attention gravitated toward Mac after seeing his Obama portrait, the simplicity made it attractive, but there was something in the style that made it stand out. His linework, handstyle, and the way that he can create an icon has become iconic itself. Now, with a new book out with Upper Playground, Alianza, featuring the work El Mac has done with his long-time collaborator Retna, highlighted by a show at Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica, the artist has the momentum on a continuous roll. —Terrence Murtagh / DTW

DTW: You live in Phoenix. Being that you are in Arizona, have you been to either the Petrified National Forest or Meteor Crater?
No, but I have been to the place where they make the best tortillas in Phoenix.

DTW: You paint really big pieces, and with Retna, you paint really big, complex pieces. How do you organize yourselves?
Still figuring that out. It usually starts from a photo. We both have a big archive of shots we’ve taken, or photos from friends, and once we’ve decided on the right image, it becomes a foundation that we can jump off from and play around with. I’ll focus on my part, Retna will focus on his part, but then there can also be a lot of exchanging opinions and ideas about the parts we’re not sure of. Every piece is different.

DTW: You are influenced by Renaissance artists, Carvaggio, Tooker; basically some heady names. Do you study? Are you a studious painter?
Yeah, I guess you could say that. I’ve basically been studying classic art since I was a little kid. There’s always more to learn, more to discover. I never went to art school so I don’t see it as some kind of academic pursuit, it’s almost more of a religion. There’s just been so much great art made throughout history. I can only hope that maybe some day when I’m long since buried and forgotten some kid will take
the effort to discover some of my work and be inspired by it.

DTW: What’s the biggest difference between painting by yourself and painting in collaboration with another artist? You do both.
Maybe interaction. One is a shared, cooperative experience while the other isn’t. Doing both helps balance my introverted and extroverted sides.

DTW: Your favorite historical figure?
Alphonse Mucha, for his incredible art.

See more of El Mac’s work at El Mac Dot Com

~ by nondecker on June 9, 2010.