|
The luminous colours and unexpected compositions seen in David Amico's latest paintings are derived primarily from the drifting urban debris of downtown Los Angeles and the environment around his home studio. Fragments of everyday life -- a scrap of paper along the pavement, or graffiti plastered along the neighbourhood streets -- all come together to create an industrial vision. The artist is particularly interested in the abandoned quality and unpredictable nature of these discarded, wind-blown elements.
Key to Amico's approach is his detachment from style. With each individual painting he abstracts and transforms the source, allowing it to reveal itself slowly. In that sense he is exploring the true nature of the objects without constricting himself to a particular technique. The lines and marks worked on to the canvas are carefully calculated to convey a sense of poeticism behind what might be considered unsightly when depicted in a stereotypical context. It serves to maintain a relevance towards the abstraction of his paintings as well, as opposed to falling into repetitive stylisation. Indeed, texture plays an important role in reinforcing this. What might appear to be a calligraphic brush stroke may be clearly defined around the edges, contradicting spontaneity. Born in Rochester, New York, Amico now lives and works in Los Angeles, California. He gained a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from California State University, and since 1978, has been an active member of the downtown Los Angeles art movement. Since 1986, he has been an influential force at Claremont Graduate University. His work has been exhibited all over the United States, in parts of Europe and in South East Asia, and he is currently represented by Ace Gallery.
Coming Soon
|