After making waves at the LA Art Fair Ryan McCann returns to 1xRUN with his Simpsons inspired American Cartoon. For years now McCann has taken on icons like Banksy, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Kaws and Shepard Fairey, in his Death To… series, but this time McCann turns his attention to America’s favorite cartoon family, The Simpsons. Read on as Ryan McCann gives us the story behind his latest edition and more . . .
1xRUN: Was this image part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Ryan McCann: At the time I was just making things in the studio just following whatever it was I wanted to make with no bigger intention other than that. Once I finished it and grouped it with other pieces from that time the theme of Americana presented itself, but never showcased it all together for a show.
1x: When was this piece created and what materials were used to create this original piece?
McCann: I made this in 2016. Everything I used was sourced from a hardware store. Wood Fence, garden tools, acrylic paint, and screws.
1x: Tell us how the idea and execution came about for this image?
McCann: Every once and while I am the fortunate recipient of an image that just appears in my head. I treat them like little gifts. I was so excited for this one I stopped everything else I was working on and got to work.
1x: How long did this piece take to create from start to finish?
McCann: All and all it was about a week to make it happen.
1x: What is unique about this piece compared with your other work?
McCann: Well, it’s my first piece I have made using garden tools. I am not someone that works in one medium or style, but I do enjoy making people see the world in a different way and I feel like this piece accomplishes that.
1x: Why should people buy one of these prints?
McCann: If it makes you smile, you should own one. The more smiles in the world the better.
1x: Describe this image in one gut reaction word.
McCann: fun.
American Cartoon by Ryan McCann – Click To Purchase
1x: It’s been a little bit since our last release with you, bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to over the last year or so.
McCann: I currently have a piece in the Into Action show in downtown LA as well as the LA Art show where the original American Cartoon piece premiered, and just before that at SCOPE in Miami with Axiom Contemporary with a piece that 2 Chainz acquired.
1x: Any recent shows or exhibitions that you had?
McCann: I had a solo show in October 2017 titled Participating in the Illusion where I premiered a new body of work using forced perspective to explore the way we see, and to challenge our accepted reality.
1x: What are some of the ways you have been trying to push yourself with your work over the last year?
McCann: The Participating in the Illusion show was a completely new style for me. I was really interested in using forced perspective and creating the illusion of glass.
1x: What are some strides you feel you’ve made in your work recently?
McCann: Outside of exploring new mediums, my biggest strides as an artist have come in my ability to let go of how my work is perceived. For the longest time I was concerned about getting accepted by specific groups in the “art world” and now I’ve taken that pressure off.
1x: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
McCann: I have been following Christian Van Minnen for some time and am obsessed with his work. I was fortunate to snag a fantastic piece from his last show here in LA at Richard Heller Gallery.
1x: Do you have any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
McCann: I have started on a documentary that I am super excited about and will continue to be making work for the upcoming art fairs.
1xRUN: Where else can people find you?
Ryan McCann: Website – Instagram@RyanMcCannArt – Facebook
-1xRUN