I saw Allison's work a few months back. It absolutely floored me. Hopefully you can enjoy it as much as I do. -Ryan Christian (
)
studio
Let's talk about clowns. I am drawn to your work for a number of reasons, but the first thing I wonder is how you decide on your content and what is said content's signifigance to you?
I don't really know the answer to that. I know that I seem to be drawn to sad characters, the forlorn reject. Something about being on the outside. The outcast. But I also am intrigued by the super confident fool. He too is a reject. I'm not really interested in what's accepted by people. I like the things, places and characters that have been forsaken. On both sides of the field. The happy genius fool and the pathetic misfit. I guess I like drama.
long hair hobo #2 -
oil on canvas -
84" x 68 -
2008
big monkey head #2 -
oil on canvas -
60" x 60 -
2008
white clown head -
glazed ceramic, 2008
I always think it's great when someone's body of work cohesively spans mutiple mediums. Do you have a favorite/ least favorite?
No. I love/ hate it all. I get really sick of stuff quickly. I'm pretty fickle and I have a short attention span. So I like to move on from something pretty soon after I start it. That's why it's good that I have all these things to do. Painting, animation, drawing, sculpture, pottery, dance, music, cooking.
white horse, 2008,
glazed ceramics
hobo clown #2 -
oil on canvas -
84" x 68 -
2008
Detail
green man ceramic -
raku glazed ceramic, 2008
The way you handle your materials is really interesting. To me there is always this perfect balance of yuck and beauty. How did you realize your technique?
I over-indulge. I really just make work and I don't really think about it. I like to see the material move and breath, and melt. I don't like things to stay static.
flower face #8 -
oil on canvas -
24" x 24 -
2009
gold man 2, 2008,
glazed ceramics
boob head, 2007, gouache
I see you went to school for animation. Did you start doiing that and then find painting? Why did you decide you want make art?
My mom, aunt, uncle, everyone in my small family is a painter, or an artist of some kind. So I was painting my whole life, out doing landscape paintings around the beach where I grew up when I was 14-ish. Thus, painting was kind of not what I wanted to do for a while when I went to school, that's why I went to film school. Also the life as a painter just seemed a little too serious for me, but I've managed to make it what I want it to be for myself, I think. I have a healthy balance going on right now, hopefully. Also, my dad's an architect, that's probably where the animation bug came from -- making little worlds that you create and be supreme leader in, except mine are mini and made from wood and clay. I have always been drawn to fantasy worlds, theatrical worlds, hand-made worlds. This world doesn't always hold my attention for very long. But I also love animators and comedians. That's probably another reason I was drawn to animation.
3 girls -
oil on canvas -
60" x 72 -
2009
bear
oil on canvas -
84" x 68 -
2008
octo, 2007, gouache
The first piece of yours I saw was the "Hobo Clown" film here in Chicago. I wasn't the only person in the room who was totally dazzled. There is this blurry line of narrative in this movie and in your 2-D work as well. wW see reoccuring characters like "green man" and these clowns and fauna. Is something specific happening or not happening? Is it telling a story or open to speculation?
I don't know if there's a story. It seems like there is. It's more of a non-narrative, but things definitely happen. There is a beginning, middle and end... to me.
"Hobo Clown" Stills
"Hobo Clown" Stills
"Hobo Clown" Stills
"Hobo Clown" Stills
"Hobo Clown" Stills
"Hobo Clown" Stills
What/who inspires your work?
So much... music, film. It's an endless list. Harryhausen, bruce bickford, klaus kinski, superjail, terry gilliam, eric yahnker, peter saul, andre butzer, armen eloyan, daniel richter, basil wolverton, crumb, balthus, ensor, van gogh, soutine, hockney, paul mccarthy, jan svankmajer, rankin bass, king kong, pina bausch, r. stevie moore, big business, upsilon acrux, lightning bolt, angel witch, venom, the earthmen, barbra streisand, the original production of a chorus line, slayer
I am a really bad story teller, I'd bore you.
currier & ives #3 (american winter sports) -
oil on canvas -
84" x 68 -
2009
niagara falls #5 (currier & ives) -
oil on canvas -
84" x 136 -
2008
How do you bide your time when your not dealing with the fabulous world of art?
I'm in a couple bands. The Singers is one. We're the best band in the world. Changing the face of music today. I eat cheeseburgers, drink whiskey, go dancing. Normal boring stuff. Painting and animation are both such solitary pursuits, I'm alone in a box with my own thoughts and creatures every every day, almost every hour. So I try and see human beings as much as I can. I'm in a constant struggle because I'm a loner, at the same time a glutten for attention, so I attempt to achieve a balance...
big brown monkey head -
60 x 60 -
oil on canvas -
2009
gold man 2, 2008 -
glazed ceramics
install shot
Any notable endeavors in the near future for you?
I'm in some group shows at Alexander and Bonin, McClain Gallery, Palod-Haroudin, Mike Weiss Gallery, Haifa Museum, etc... As we speak I am in a little black box for the next month filming a music video for Grizzly Bear, and I have a solo exhibition of my work at Mark Moore Gallery in Los Angeles opening Jan. 9, 2010.
standing gin, 2008 -
glazed ceramics
Cowboys or indians?
Cowboys for footwear, Indians for headwear.
hobo clown #4 -
oil on canvas -
84" x 68 -
2008
Detail
girl with animal #2 -
oil on canvas -
72" x 60 -
2008
///////// Impressive and powerful work! It's great to see a painter really manipulate the paint. The sculptures and animation complete the package. Really nicely done. Written by John Casey on 2009-08-25 21:50:02
///////// yeah, she is definitely a favorite. and i have to say ryan, that i am appreciative of the quality work/artists you are bringing to the site. its kept me checking in. Written by drew beckmeyer on 2009-08-26 00:51:49
///////// Some friends and I saw her work for the first time about a year ago at a gallery in Chelsea. Totally blew us away. Her white paintings are especially beautiful, the animation is simply amazing. Written by denton crawford on 2009-08-26 03:57:45
///////// too all who are interested...... here is the hobo clown film
http://allisonschulnik.com/FILM/HOBO_CLOWN.html Written by ryan travis christian on 2009-08-26 10:57:44
///////// Great interview, amazing paintings!
Fierce Written by Josh Keyes on 2009-08-26 12:58:42
///////// One more thought, do you like Sam Messer's paintings? He might be right up your alley. Written by Josh Keyes on 2009-08-26 13:02:22
///////// Really nice interview, and work. I can relate to being a loner too in a huge way.
currier & ives #3 is my favourite out of all, but they're all really nice, no need to be picky! Written by j.lathian on 2009-08-26 20:43:03
///////// Allison, amazed each time, wrapping yourself into a whirlwind and letting us share in the beauty. real cool. Written by pitthart on 2009-08-26 22:22:43
///////// i love how different this is from most stuff that gets posted. it's all about the layers. Written by pesya on 2009-08-26 22:33:56
///////// !! nice !! wowza! nice interview alli ! Written by alikacooper on 2009-08-28 18:40:59
///////// i can relate to over-indulging.. good way to go Written by alikacooper on 2009-08-28 18:42:15
///////// Dang! People like this? Guess I shouldn't have gone to art school. I think I was better when I was 4. Written by Platypusboy on 2009-09-07 00:31:36
///////// you probably were better when you were 4. that is often the case Written by ryan travis christian on 2009-09-07 09:45:12
///////// Sorry. I don't mean to be a jerk. Can you explain to me what floored you about it though? I don't get it. Written by Platypusboy on 2009-09-08 02:29:59
///////// NIagra Falls I like Written by Jesse Edwards on 2009-09-08 11:55:21
///////// thanks for all of the comment you are not a jerk. i saw the animation first, hobo clown is one of the most beautiful films i have seen in awhile. i like every thing about it from the content to the look to the music. it's amazing. it really nailed me. i don't usually see things in exhibitions that i like as much as i did this. her paintings are thick and painty and weird and funny, relatively large (all traits i like in an image). great color. the sculptures do "complete the package" like i said i really like them, i hope you do too. if not, i am sorry she/i has failed you. maybe next time.
oh and i like a lot of 4 year olds artwork too.
josh - i like some of them more than others. ultimately i'd say i like his work somewhat. sort of. thanks dude Written by ryan travis christian on 2009-09-08 12:15:59
///////// Okay. So I watched her video and actually thought that it was cool. Her stuff looks better moving than just hanging on a wall. I would suggest posting the video with this. Written by Scott Lee on 2009-09-08 19:39:56
///////// the monkey and 2 headead bear are awwsome! Written by ASID on 2009-09-12 11:18:52
///////// this is all really great - 3 Girls especially. Written by cellardooropen on 2009-09-22 01:14:21
///////// Allison is rad. Written by lps on 2009-10-01 20:33:26
///////// Such textures, Christ!
I wish I could do this, even badly, but I don't know where to start. Written by Kill Joyce on 2009-10-02 15:19:47
///////// Powerful & intense work! Love it. Written by DieterVDO on 2009-10-23 03:47:15
///////// greatness Written by multiplemustaches on 2009-10-28 20:49:07
///////// Alison's work is truly impressive. My company published her work in last year's Pacific Coast edition of New American Paintings magazine. Written by danacordova on 2009-11-07 06:27:57
///////// Brilliant layered art, so awesome! Written by friscoson on 2009-11-16 21:14:30
///////// I wonder if she likes anal sex. I would love to have butt sex with her Written by Mao Zedong on 2009-11-22 14:03:58
///////// I just came back form LA and caught her show at Mark Moore. Best thing I've seen in years. The moment you walk into the gallery it smells like wet oils. It will probably take years for her stuff to fully dry. Most of it has sold too! She is a phenomenal painter, sculpture, mixed media artist. Can't wait to more! Written by ErinMorrison on 2010-01-21 17:51:55
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Free Fridayz: POO, The Cat He's all soft, he's all cute, his claws all kill, he likes all chicken dinners from Trader Joes while wearing his turtle neck sweater.
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2/9 - Jeff Lurker (Portland, OR) submit: potd(at)fecalface.com
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