1xRUN Thru Interview
Genesis by Beau Stanton
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale? Was it created solely for this release or was there an original created?
Beau Stanton: The original was created for my Cartography of the Machine solo exhibition at CHG Circa Gallery in Culver City. The original is available.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had? If so how did it fit into that given grouping?
Beau Stanton: It was the central panel of a large triptych that made up the centerpiece of my Cartography of the Machine show. All of the work in the exhibition utilized some form of visual exposition to convey the narrative such as exploded views, cutaways, etc. These three paintings all correspond horizontally with elements from each stratified layer continuing into the next painting.
1xRUN: What materials were used to create this piece with?
Beau Stanton: The original is oil and acrylic on wood.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Beau Stanton: This was done back in March of this year and took about a week to complete.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Beau Stanton: I’ve created images before that reference the stratified layers of history, but this image takes the concept in a different direction. A great tree of life blossoming out of the fertile ground made up of designs and ornaments from different time periods and cultures as well as a layer of dinosaur fossils and Greek sculptures (Most of them from the Pergamon Altar).
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Beau Stanton: Where else can you find a painting that includes Art Deco ornaments, Greek Gods/Godesses battling, and dinosaur bones?
1xRun: Why should people buy this print?
Beau Stanton: This is my personal favorite image from the Cartography of the Machine show.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Beau Stanton: Growth.
1xRun: Bring us up to speed on what you’ve been up to since your last release?
Beau Stanton: I spent the last few months in the UK working on a two part show of stained glass, paintings and multimedia projections called ‘Tenebras Lux.’ The exhibition debuted in Bristol as a site specific installation in the 12th Century Crypt of Saint John the Baptist. The second stage brought the work to StolenSpace Gallery in London.
“Tenebras Lux” is a new body of work inspired by the imagery and techniques found in sacred spaces. Light emitting stained glass windows create an immersive experience that references medieval art forms, ancient and modern religious iconography and fetishized holy relics. Installed in Bristol as a temporary site-specific installation within the Crypt of Saint John the Baptist, these works re-imagine their original sacred function to inform the way we view the development of religious icons and enduring archetypes.
While creating the work, Stanton employed classical, medieval and 19th Century techniques alongside contemporary digital media achieving unconventional results within the vaulted crypt and tomb niches. This calculated manipulation of light and shadow results in vividly illuminated images achieved through panes of tinted glass as well as delicate layers of transparent paint film.
These works are carefully concocted amalgamations that fuse archetypal symbols with familiar imagery from Classical Antiquity and Christian theology. The result is a visual orgy of light and ornament contrasting natural organic forms of ancient mythology with the macabre and grotesque images of martyred Christian icons.
1xRun: Any recent murals you’d like to highlight?
Beau Stanton: I just completed a couple of new murals in NYC. One in Astoria, Queens, and another on the facade of Paulaner, a German craft brewery at Bowery and Houston in Manhattan organized by the LISA Project.
1xRun: Any recent strides or set backs you’ve had with your latest body of work?
Beau Stanton: My recent show of stained glass felt like a great stride, it’s always satisfying when a complex long term project comes together. I’d like to do more projects that translate what I’m doing into other media.
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Beau Stanton: I’ve got some work on display at SCOPE Art Show in Miami Beach as well as a project with Fiat that you might see driving around the city during Art Basel week in December.
1xRun: Where else can people find you?
Beau Stanton: Facebook – Instagram@beaustanton – Twitter
-1xRUN