Marc Horowitz doesn’t seem to fit into the “tortured soul” category of artist — in fact his work suggests he has an absolute blast. The LA-based artist lets loose with oil, charcoal, pastels and acrylic spray paints — all at the same time it seems — in brilliantly haphazard canvases that exude a chaotic exuberance belying their inherent skill.
Classical themes and compositions are energetically reimagined, as though a gifted child has been left alone in a museum for a night with a sack of Haribo and a box of crayons. Carefully considered compositions are delivered with loose, sketchy abandon and filled with strokes and splashes of vivid colour.
That other pillar of classical art — statuary — also gets the Horowitz treatment; seemingly serious sculptures are irreverently embellished with foreign objects culled from junk shops or encountered during everyday life. Always keen to engage with his audience on a populist level, the artist has chosen to draw the names of this series of narrative artworks from the screenplays of The Matrix and Solaris. Interior, Day (A Door Opens) is the name of the collection, which is being displayed at DEPART Foundation, Los Angeles, between 8 October and 19 December.
Photo, Jeff McLane
Marc Horowitz
Six figure glide up the dark stairs. She put her cigarette down, 2015. Oil, Oil stick, charcoal, marker, pastel, acrylic spray paint on canvas
96” x 72”
Marc Horowitz
A bright light illuminates the screen as she takes a deep breath centering herself, 2015. Oil, oil stick, charcoal, diesel dust, pastel, acrylic spray paint on canvas
65” x 45”
Marc Horowitz
Mr. Wizard, get me the hell out of here, 2015 [Detail]
Acrylic spray paint, oil stick, charcoal, oil, pencil, cardboard cut out
72 x 84 inches
Photography, Jeff McLane
Marc Horowitz
He stares without moving. Music begins, 2015
Oil, acrylic spray paint on canvas
65” x 45”
Marc Horowitz
INTERIOR, TEMPORARY FACTORY – DAY, 2015
Oil, oil stick, charcoal, acrylic spray, paint on canvas
65” x 45”
Marc Horowitz
PONK. PONK. PONK. Holy shit –, 2015
Oil, oil stick, charcoal, acrylic spray, paint on canvas
65” x 45”
Marc Horowitz
THEME MUSIC BEGINS, 2015
Acrylic spray paint, oil stick, charcoal, oil, pencil, watercolor
72 x 84 inches
Photo, Jeff McLane
