1xRUN Thru Interview
Lisa Sez by Glenn Barr
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece? Was it part of a recent series or show?
Glenn Barr: This piece was part of the 2012 group show called LYRIC that I had curated. The show was at the now defunct 323 East Gallery.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece?
Glenn Barr: I used wood paneling for this particular painting. I used acrylics exclusively. Also, I backed the painting with 1 x 2’s to create a stronger frame and to give it a substantial presence when hung on the wall.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight about this piece?
Glenn Barr: I envisioned a character that was a fixture in an old Hamtramck neighborhood bar. I think we all know someone like that…a little tragic, a peripheral friend, a party girl, with something dramatic always happening in their lives.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Glenn Barr: Well, the LYRIC show was all about songs and their lyrics. I always liked the Velvet Underground song “Lisa Says”, so based on that tune I created the visual equivalent…in my eyes anyway.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Glenn Barr: A few days were all that was needed. The piece was 12” x 12”, the size of an album cover… There was only the ONE rule of the show. All the work had to be “album size” .
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Glenn Barr: Her cigarette isn’t lit.
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Glenn Barr: It’s quietly dramatic with an open-ended narration. The story is in the eye of the beholder…
1xRun: Describe this piece in one gut reaction word.
Glenn Barr: Alluring.
1xRun: You recently took part in the Copro Gallery 20th Anniversary show, what was that like and what was your piece in that show?
Glenn Barr: I was showing with Copro when they started up their gallery in the late 90’s. I did this cool show with Tim Biskup and Coop called “Otaku”. It was a Japanese monster & toy theme. I believe Otaku means “obsessed with monster & toy culture”… So, with that history I decided to do a re-imagining of T28 ( Gigantor ) with a feminine controller … looking fabulous in blue sparkle slacks and top she was a force to be reckoned with. I thought since it was Copro’s 20th Anniversary I decided to revisit the Otaku theme…like ol’ times.
1xRun: When did you first start working with Copro and how did that relationship come about?
Glenn Barr: Gary Pressman, who was the director of Copro, came to my show at La Luz de Jesus in Hollywood in 2000. He introduced himself and we got along pretty well and he ended up going to the bar with me and a few peeps for a raucous evening.
1xRun: What else have you been up to as the summer is winding down?
Glenn Barr: I was in Roq La Rue’s group show “Otherworld” in June, and I had a show with Stranger Factory in Albuquerque this past July, and I’ll be doing a limited edition figure with Circus Posterus due to be released this fall. It’s called “LUCKY DEVIL”… keep your eyes peeled.
1xRun: Any other big plans coming up in the next 2-3 months here?
Glenn Barr: Along with shows in Seattle and Australia in 2014, this September I’ll be in several shows:
– Minna 111 Gallery / Last Gasp group show ( 20th Anniversary )
– BLAB WORLD 3 – group show to coincide with book at Copro gallery
– Risqué Group Exhibition at Long Beach Museum of Art’s
I’ll also be at Art Basel in Miami in December too.
1xRUN: Where can people find you?
Glenn Barr: Website – Facebook –
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