Paintallica

Is a collaborative group of artists who make work that is intentionally
confrontational and impulsive. We work through the mail, the Internet and at
small gatherings throughout the U.S. Our work is equal parts drawing,
painting, sculpture and performance. The ideal platform for us is installation,
where we incorporate all aspects into one space.

Paintallica began as a group of artists who made a pact to hurt one another’s
feelings. This level of brutality is still employed as part of the process in
unapologetically altering one another’s work, criticizing each other’s ideas
or directing it outward in the form of belligerent engagement with current
events or culture. Conversely, each member is expected to participate with a
certain level of vulnerability and generosity in subject matter. An equally
important part of the process is being receptive to change and provoking
critical response from the other members.

Paintallica is an ever-changing line-up of accomplished artists, but it has a
core that is constant. Core members have exhibited internationally, one is a
published graphic novelist, two are war vets, and one has made headlines
by offending the campaign of the president elect. Members have been
reviewed in Sculpture Magazine, Art Forum, and The New York Times. All our
members are professionally skilled, culturally engaged and have a wide
variety of interests.

An on-going creative dialogue between members informs the direction of
each show. This evolution in process maintains an integral flexibility and
contextual immediacy, which are crucial to the purpose of the group. The
site, the available materials, as well as the general energy of the group
condition the direction of each installation. Our typical installation process
involves a day of planning and collecting materials. Then, starting work in a
space in the evening and working until morning. Sleeping during the day, we
continue this schedule for two or three nights until we feel the work is
finished. Throughout the installation, actions build into spontaneous
performances, usually with some means for public viewing. This process
generally yields a collection of work, which easily fills any given space and
often incorporates the gallery walls ceiling and floor.

The raw and uncensored nature of Paintallica is integral to the mission of
addressing sensitive, immediate and often taboo issues. We address
cultural, psychological and social issues with blunt and unflinching force.
We believe that rowdiness and debauchery can sometimes be the most
direct route to insight.