Denial Gets Back To Basics

Our friend to the North, Canadian artist Denial is usually never at a loss for words. With his latest edition, Back To Basics, Denial tackles American politics as we approach the third and final debate in this terrible 2016 Presidential Election cycle. Take it away Denial…

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1x: Tell us a little bit about this piece.
Denial: Well holy shit it looks like America is finally going to hell in a hand basket. Well in this case a wastebasket. I always thought it might be a shopping cart though. On the right we’ve got this pandering corporate sellout from a scandal-ridden family setting up their political dynasty for years to come.

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And on the extreme “strap a jet pack on to your back and blast yourself off the spectrum” right, we have this racist, misogynistic, xenophobic, Islamophobic, hate-spewing, tax-evading, orange piece of human garbage. Donald Trump is the literal, physical embodiment of everything that is wrong with America.

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And the fact that someone like Donald Trump could climb to the heights of political power and potential power that he has says a lot about where America is and where it needs to go and where it could go (into oblivion.)

Isn’t it nice to have a choice? Isn’t democracy fun? The truth is that choosing the lesser evil is not much of a choice at all. The truth is that democracy in America was developed/designed to favor the rich since the writing of the Constitution.

The other truth is that I’m Canadian (eh.) This piece was made a couple years back leading up to Canada’s latest national election where we got to pick between the lesser of three evils instead of two (what a treat!) Sometimes the most simple ideas are the most poignant. This piece perfectly encapsulated how we felt leading up to our last election and how we can only imagine a lot of you are feeling right now.

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1x: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Denial: As I stated I had originally started this concept during our own Canadian elections a few years back and made modifications to suit the American market.

We live and operate in downtown Windsor, Ontario just a quick drive and potentially lengthy border inspection from downtown Detroit and 1xRUN headquarters. We have front row seats for “America The Movie” and we are strapped in, genetically modified popcorn in hand and intently watching and waiting to see how this drama-cidal shit show plays out.

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We are watching because we care about America. We have family and friends and colleagues throughout the United States. We do a good amount of our business and art in the states, and we always have a good time while we’re there. It’s not just us watching though, it’s the whole world, so when you pitch in and vote on November 8th (Find Your Fucking Polling Place & VOTE), please make sure you put your garbage in the right receptacle.

1x: Is there anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Denial: Real time interactive open source democracy.

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1x: Tell us a little bit about your process and how the idea and execution came about for this piece?
Denial: This piece is all aerosol with multiple stencils on framed wood panels and love. We start off by making all the panel frames and stencils then sort of run through a production line type painting style. Spray painting each layer and allowing it to dry the proper amount of time before applying the next layer. We then distress the pieces with grinders, sanders and other tools.

1x: What do you feel is unique about this piece compared to some of your other work?
Denial: This piece is probably the most “timely” piece I’ve ever made.

1x: Describe these piece in one gut reaction word.
Denial: Recycle.

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Back To Basics by Denial – Available In Two Sizes – Click To Purchase

1x: How has 2016 been for you? Bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to.
Denial: I have been doing a lot of work in Seattle. I did a few massive murals there, one in Capitol Hill and one in Belltown. It was a really neat experience in Belltown as I got to paint a three-story mural next to the bar where Nirvana used to play. We have an upcoming show in Los Gatos, California in December and one in Miami in January, both being solo exhibitions.

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1x: What are you plans for 2017? Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Denial: Trying not to plan too much just leaving it up to the universe what they have in store for us.

1x: Where else can people find you?
Denial: WebsiteInstagram @denialart – Twitter @denial519

-1xRUN