1xRun Thru Interview
UltraS by David Molesky
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece…
David Molesky: The original painting is 48×60 inches on canvas and the print is on 17.5×22 on 20×24 paper. The paintings of this series is a departure from my earlier figurative painting. For the last decade or so I had tried to depict universal time and avoided man-made objects. I’ve dropped that dogma. I love that the subject is current, and also contains elements that seem from another era. For example, the old school puffy down jacket and the overall color looks a bit like old film tone.
1xRun: Is this original still for sale?
David Molesky: Yes, the original is still for sale. The painting is with Copro gallery, along with three other paintings from this body of work. There are four more of these paintings that are currently at my framers getting fitted with teak-waxed walnut floater frames.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent series that you had?
David Molesky: Yeah, this painting is the masterpiece from my series of paintings based on media images of the revolution in Kiev. It’s the largest of the eight paintings so far and the one that I spent the most time on. I feel like the figure captures the energy that originally drew me into the subject matter.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
David Molesky: I bought some canvas to make curtains for my new apartment and I had a large piece left over. It was just enough to stretch over a 4×5 ft. panel. I gessoed that a few times and it was still pretty rough. I made a sketch with conte crayon and then blocked in the composition with a limited palette of burnt sienna, ochre and white. I used the the paint straight out of the tube without adding medium for the entire painting, sanding between dry layers. Since I was painting in the same space that I was living, I’ve been very cautious about using toxic mediums. Towards the end I added a few more colors, like blue.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
David Molesky: I started the piece at the end of January, a few hours after I confirmed that my solo show was only 2.5 months away. I mentioned the idea of making paintings based on the Kiev riots and the gallery director loved it. So after I got off the phone, the mad rush began. It was right in the middle of the coldest winter New York had had in 30 years.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
David Molesky: I had been meaning to combine my paintings of chaotic elements with my other series of people into one kind of imagery. I had been brainstorming for a few months but nothing was really clicking until I saw the images of the riots. I loved seeing people throwing fire over walls of fire.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
David Molesky: I worked on the painting for a solid month as my main gig, before I had to travel to speak at a conference. I spent about five more days after that detailing it out before I had to send it to Copro for my solo show that opened in April.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
David Molesky: It’s a perfect moment; the arm is cocked back, just like the greek discus thrower.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?
David Molesky: It embodies that Rage Against the Machine kind of vibe.
1xRun: Describe this print in one gut reaction word.
David Molesky: Rebellion.
1xRun: Bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to since our last release?
David Molesky: Since that last release, I moved to New York city and was living in the West Village. About 9 months ago, I was gifted a tri-color Australian Shepherd puppy. He’s a great rascal to have around. Also, I started writing for Juxtapoz magazine.
1xRun: Any recent shows or events that you’ve had that you want to share?
David Molesky: Last year the Long Beach Museum of Art acquired my last available forest fire painting. The painting was shown with other recently acquired works at the museum this spring.
1xRun: Any new artists that are really inspiring you as of lately?
David Molesky: I wrote an article on Christian Rex Van Minnen for the April issue of Juxtapoz and I have enjoyed getting to know Adam Miller and his work.
1xRun: Any upcoming shows or events as the summer winds down here?
David Molesky: Yeah, the Suggestivism show curated by Nathan Spoor. This is the 4th installment of the critically acclaimed show, which debuted at the Grand Central Arts Center and then was reborn again in NYC and Rome. The show opens on August 16th and I will be there.
1xRun: Anything you’d like to add that we didn’t touch on?
David Molesky: I have been getting into following politics more and more lately. I grew up in Washington, D.C. and was quick to plug my ears in the presence of anything political. I’ve always been interested in ecology, and the gulf spill fired me up to look more closely at what is going on. Plus, its more fun to follow politics now. There are great alternative news sources, like Colbert, John Stewart, and Vice to name a few.
1xRun: Where can we find you?
David Molesky: Website – Facebook – Instagram @moleskystudio
-1xRUN