NYC-based artist Grear Patterson (b. 1988, USA) uses mixed media to create ideal locations, inspired by the 1993 film “True Romance”. For his running solo show in London's Marlborough Contemporary, Patterson presents large-scale sunsets, recreating the film though visual and audio means. For an entire month, the gallery space was transformed into a dream with extreme colours in simplified forms. Patterson is playing with viewer’s nostalgia, reflecting on the themes of childhood memories and imaginary worlds, inviting us to consider how far away a parallel reality may be.
1) How did you know that you wanted to become an artist?
You don’t really know if you want to become an artist - you just like to make stuff. When you first start doing it you’re so young, you aren’t even aware of what it is you’re doing. So, you have things you create and someone sees it and makes it all possible. Also, my parents always took me to museums and they always had art around.
2) How would you describe your art?
Moments from my mind; my memories of things, or a moment I want to create for a person. Like a feeling in which a person sees something and is then moved from the place where they are to another - a visual or visceral experience that transports them away to a nice place.
Grear Patterson, Betty Boop and Clark Kent, 2016, Bronx tarpaulin, suntreated weathered tarpaulin and dyed and weathered canvas, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
3) Is it hard to be an artist?
In some ways. It’s hard to maintain steady financials and certain pressures. And handling ideas and projects that are bigger than your studio.
4) What is your greatest achievement so far?
Just surviving or not being fucked up all the time.
5) Which contemporary artists do you follow?
Mainly artists that I grew up with, like Yves Scherer, Sebastian Lloyd Rees, and others like Chloe Wise and Max Ruf.
Grear Patterson, Dr. Zhivago, 2016, Oil on canvas, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
6) What do you do when you are not happy with the result?
I either destroy them, or more likely I just put them in storage and work on them later - sometimes I even think it’s better afterwards.
7) Do you need to explain your art?
No, it should speak for itself, but I don’t mind talking about it in person. When I’m looking at other artists’ work I always like to speak to them about it. Overall, I like just looking at work, and being in my own head.
Grear Patterson, Alabama, 2016, assembled boat and acrylic paint, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
8) Do you want to try something else in the future?
Yeah, always ... movies, bigger paintings, smaller paintings, working with sculpture. I’m mainly excited about working with movies and books over the next 10 years, then I plan to return to painting when I’m a little bit older.
9) What are you afraid of?
Hurting peoples feelings, and general stuff like failing - but I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of it.
10) What is your ultimate dream?
To have a nice family and have enough to support them, and also to have places around the world where I can go and create work.
Installation View, Grear Patterson, True Romance, Marlborough Contemporary, 24 June – 23 July 2016, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
Installation View, Grear Patterson, True Romance, Marlborough Contemporary, 24 June – 23 July 2016, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
Installation View, Grear Patterson, True Romance, Marlborough Contemporary, 24 June – 23 July 2016, Courtesy the artist and Marlborough Contemporary, London
Thank you, Grear Patterson!
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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