1xRun Thru Interview
Walmartyr by Denial
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this original piece, what materials did you use?
Denial: This piece was part of a show I did in Toronto, Canada called “Cut and Paste”. The original was done in 2012 using 25 stencils and spray paint on wood. For the print versions here we have 3 colorways available, also each print is hand embellished with spray paint drips. This provides an interesting effect as some of the drips are in the print digitally and some are real. Looks sweet!
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Denial: I kind of have a few issues with Walmart. I hate Walmart. I wanted to do a painting that expressed an open ended statement about the company. Almost as it is a worldwide religion. Also you aren’t sure if the characters in the painting are protesting or celebrating Walmart.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Denial: The original took a week.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece compared with some of your other work?
Denial: I don’t do much religious work.
1xRun: Why should people buy one of these prints?
Denial: Because they will never be available at Walmart.
1xRun: Describe these pieces in one gut reaction word.
Denial: Cost.
1xRun: You recently started a mural project in Ontario, can you tell us a bit about that?
Denial: Yeah, I started the Free For All Walls project this summer. It has been going amazing! We have 7 artists down and 13 to go! The project utilizes unused space in Windsor, Canada. We find wall space for artists to do large scale murals.
1xRun: Who are some the artists already signed up?
Denial: It has been so dope meeting and painting with some of the artists involved. So far we have Nychos, Bask, Ben Frost, Omen, Elicser, High 5, Persue, Nekoes, Nosego, Labrona, Gaia, Above, Sizeo, Globe, Kwest, X-Ray, Askew and Spud. Like I said 7 have been done so far! Trying to get one more right now, one of my faves, ROA, we’ll see.
1xRun: You also have a big show coming up with Australian artist Ben Frost at our own Inner State Gallery, will it be collaborative pieces like your Denialex-PM here on 1xRUN, individual pieces from each of you or a mix of both?
Denial: We have totally collaborated on the theme of the show “Company of Thieves”. We will be displaying a lot of individual pieces but yes some collaborative pieces as well.
1xRun: What else have you two been up to as summer winds down?
Denial: The Free For All Walls project is definitely keeping me really busy but I am also doing a few smaller shows with older works up in Toronto at this Pop-Up gallery we started. My friend let me use this amazing building for the summer at 1185 Bloor West we called it DENIAL of course. We have had a few small events that have gone amazing!
1xRun: You also got DJ Qbert for the festivities, how did that come about?
Denial: Hell yeah! He has been one of the most inspirational musicians I have listened to in my life. I can really relate with how he cuts up and scratches existing music and makes new music from it. Re-purposes it. I sent his agent an email with a pitch for a party and Q was all about it! We are even releasing a print with 1XRun, a Denial vs. Qbert vs. Ben Frost piece closer to the show! I am so stoked!
1xRun: Any other big plans for the next 2-3 months you’d want to touch on?
Denial: Planning on going up to Art Basel again in December then going over to Australia for a month or two! Can’t wait to meet all the rad dudes I have been working with there via www.stupidkrap.com
1xRun: Anything else we may have forgotten ?
Denial: Denial Loves You!
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Denial: Website – FreeForAllWalls – Facebook – Twitter
-1xRUN