Painter Brian M. Viveros loves a kick-ass main woman. His hypertechnical, cinematically crisp portraits of gorgeous ladies with distinct personalities, all seem like they only gained a rumble. Enamored of what he calls, “the iconography of the femme-fatale as a robust emblem of power and retaliation,” Viveros’ work in oil, airbrush, acrylic, and ink are wealthy with plentiful element. With comic-book power backstories and the radiance of realizing they might win any combat, the ladies in Viveros’ work could also be fantasy, gaming, or sci-fi impressed however their hyperreality and stance of problem has the ring of reality. An exhibition of his current work is on view at Thinkspace till November 19.
BRIAN M. VIVEROS: I’d say after I was round 4 I wished to attract all my toys, so I might set them up and create scenes and draw my figures preventing in battle. I additionally may bear in mind drawing the TV Information covers after I was like 5 or 6. My mother would at all times save them and inform me to attract them, it was train in portrait drawing. The TV Information at all times had the very best photos on the duvet.
What’s your quick reply to individuals who ask what your work is about?
Brief reply in three phrases, I say ladies of energy!
What would you be doing if you happen to weren’t an artist?
Most likely directing however that’s an artwork so perhaps a tequila and taco knowledgeable, ha! I actually don’t know; I solely see and stay via artwork. I do know that may sound foolish however I don’t assume there’s actually anything I can do however be artistic, and I nonetheless really feel there’s a lot extra to study and change into as an artist.
Did you go to artwork college? Why/Why not?
No artwork college for me. I did go to a neighborhood school for a little bit bit and took an artwork class however it simply wasn’t my factor. I felt prefer it was a waste of time for me. I’ve at all times felt like I had my very own agenda and different issues to do — issues to create — and that I used to be going to pave my very own path and push myself actually exhausting and make a reputation for myself within the artwork world. It’s important to imagine in what you do, I’ve at all times been very pushed in that sense whilst a child. My dad would at all times say “by no means be bored, be artistic together with your time.”
Why do you reside and work in L.A., and never elsewhere?
I truly stay in Upland which is about 40 minutes from L.A., inland. I like the place I’m at. I’ve an superior dwelling studio and spend the day being artistic. My canine Mr. Logan is my complete universe. If I would like to fulfill up in L.A. it’s a straightforward drive.
When was your first present?
My first solo present was in Switzerland in 1997 alongside Academy Award-winner and my favourite artist H.R. Giger. It was a giant group present curated by Giger on the Museum of Porn In Artwork in Zurich.
Brian M. Viveros, Stable Gold, 2022
When is/was your present/most up-to-date/subsequent present or undertaking?
I simply had my massive Mania opening at Thinkspace Tasks on October twenty ninth and it was EPIC! It was my seventh solo exhibition and was my largest physique of labor so far, over 25 items. It was additionally the most important Halloween artwork celebration and celebration with so many individuals dressed like my DirtyLand characters, the night time was magical. For all of your readers, drop by Thinkspace Tasks & take a look at my present, it’s up til November nineteenth so you continue to obtained time!
What artist residing or useless would you most like to indicate or work with?
I might like to work with Alejandro Jodorowsky on a really surreal and twisted movie.
Do you take heed to music when you work? If that’s the case, what?
All the time obtained to have music enjoying and the espresso goin’ and I dig every kind of music. You identify it however I do like a variety of old-fashioned hip hop after I’m working, and I dig a variety of underground indie bands. Typically I’ll hear the identical album over and over and over all day. I simply obtained the brand new Yeah Yeah Yeahs, I dig Karen O — she jogs my memory of one in all my work, particularly in her new video the place she’s sporting a kick-ass helmet.
