Adolescent desires and childhood fantasies are the driving force behind a new collection of works by FAILE, currently on display at Gallery Hilger NEXT, Vienna. As our work-in-progress shots show, the Brooklyn art duo are departing from their recent sculptural installation work, with Fuel, Fantasy, Freedom, returning to a more pure form of painting – a discipline that has always underpinned their work – for an exploration of the uncertain area between innocence and lust.
Always a favourite with young boys, bedroom walls across America were at one time covered in muscle car posters of the kind recreated here by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. These souped-up caricatures of everyday cars are perfect symbols for the 20th Century idea of freedom, with their outlandish body modifications, loud paint jobs and even louder, turbo-charged, gas-guzzling engines capable of thoroughly illegal speeds. The collection also shows a more whimsical side, with familiar fairytales and myths depicted with a subversive spin. Adult themes and commentary are worked in to the scenes, which are delivered in the bold colours of childhood art and the later screen printing of artists such as Warhol. Fuel, Fantasy, Freedom runs until 6 September.
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Up On Two Wheels
Acrylic, Spray Paint
and Silkscreen Ink on Paper
60 in. x 44 in.
2014
Sally Sells Seashells
acrylic, silkscreen ink
and spray paint on paper
127 x 96,5 cm
2014
Single Moms Racer
Acrylic and Silkscreen Ink on Paper
62 in. x 42 in.
2014
Guaranteed To Perform
Acrylic, Silkscreen Ink, Copper and
Fabric on Wood/Carved Wood, in Steel Frame
49 in. x 49 in. x 03 in.
2014
