1xRUN Thru Interview
Downtown Train by Eric Inkala
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece..
Eric Inkala: The painting for the print was actually created in 2013. I was experimenting with adding some elements of my text drawings to my paintings and this was the result. Both paintings are extremely layered. One of the pieces is sold and the other is in Copenhagen currently at Gallery Poulsen. The originals along side the print are a combo of my classic character styles and the smaller pieces on paper are a newer direction I’ve been gravitating towards recently. All the originals were created in the last couple of months. I have been really interested in breaking down existing drawings or compositions and re-appropriating them into new pieces. Just a little glimpse into a larger piece but blown up and more abstract.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent series that you had?
Eric Inkala: The painting that the print is based off of was part of a series of about 10 pieces all 3ft X 3ft. This one definitely stood out from the group and was the most dynamic and my favorites of that series.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Eric Inkala: Mostly Acrylic and Cel-Vinyl, there are few spray paint layers on these two specifically.
1xRun: When were these pieces created?
Eric Inkala: 2013.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Eric Inkala: For the print image I started the background’s when I broke my right hand and I am right handed, I couldn’t really paint and it was driving me crazy so I just said fuck it and started painting really abstract backgrounds with my left hand. Then they sat to the side for a while and came back to them a while later when my hand was healed and started building up the layers.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Eric Inkala: It’s hard to say cause I was working on a lot of stuff at the same time but maybe a couple of weeks? My brain is a little frantic so I usually work best on a lot of paintings at the same time.
1xRun: What do you feel is unique about these pieces?
Eric Inkala: These pieces, especially the smaller ones on paper are a small glimpse into what my newer work is going to be like. More abstract, less outlines and just more contemporary. Also I rarely work this small so it’s a good opportunity to get something very affordable.
1xRun: Why should people buy these pieces?
Eric Inkala: Again, a rare opportunity to get some very affordable paintings. My newer stuff is generally all very large scale so get the smaller ones while you can!
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Eric Inkala: I started drawing a lot in middle school and started to explore painting in high school.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Eric Inkala: The first piece I can remember painting was in middle school, a really shitty portrait if I can remember correctly?
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Eric Inkala: I was inspired by a lot of graffiti writers early on, mostly New York and bay area stuff after I visited both cities when I was young. Then got really into Lichtenstein and Philip Guston, Basquiat and Haring for sure. Jasper Johns, de Kooning and Chuck Close.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work?
Eric Inkala: Yeah I’m constantly listening to music while I paint, kinda depends on the mood. My musical tastes are over the place, I listen to a lot of hip hop, some old soul, some indie rock stuff. I also listen to NPR a lot.
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Eric Inkala: George Condo, Stephen Powers, Francis Bacon, Kaws, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Aaron Horkey, Dave Kinsey, Todd James, Doze Green, Christian Rex van Minnen and all of the people I mentioned as early inspirations still as well and so many more.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Eric Inkala: I would have to say George Condo or Doze Green. George Condo just cause his work is amazing, one of my favorite painters currently. Doze has been a big inspiration to me for a while now, I think it would be fun to collaborate with him cause our compositions have some similarities and it would be fun to see our characters having some sort of weird dialogue.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be and why?
Eric Inkala: Philip Guston, I would love to see my characters through his eyes and painted more aggressively with oils.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought?
Eric Inkala: Honestly cannot remember, I haven’t bought as much art as I’d like in my lifetime but have traded paintings with a lot of artist friends over the years.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Eric Inkala: The last thing I remember buying was a Drew Peterson print, one of my best friends and an amazing artist. Also recently acquired some awesome work from Garth Thompson Vieira that is probably some of my favorite stuff right now as well.
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Eric Inkala: I’m currently working on my next solo exhibit “Chaos Complex” that opens November 22nd at Public Functionary in Minneapolis MN. Very excited for this show, it’ll be my first show in Minneapolis in 5 years and showcasing some large-scale work that I am very proud of. Like I said before my work is moving in a new direction and this show is the debut if you will of what is to come.
1xRun: Social Media Links
Eric Inkala: Website – Instagram
-1xRUN