You would think it would be ace growing up in southern California, what with all that sunshine, and the beaches, and the skate-surf culture. But looking at Brian Calvin’s cast of skinny mopers and navel-gazing slackers, it seems not even the sun-kissed climes of the Pacific coast can prevent widespread teenage ennui. Cheer up you miserable bastards, you could be growing up in Rhyl…
Black Dog Publishing has released a monograph on Brian Calvin, who has been likened to Alex Katz and David Hockney due to their shared tendency to work with an idiosyncratic style. Calvin’s stylised figures are all arms and legs, bug-eyed and long-necked characters who are often seen framed in unusual crops that extend the sense of languor. Limbs seem to stretch with the endless sunny days, the air seems hot and still, almost stultifying, and it’s as if everyone involved is waiting for something to happen. The flattened matte palette employed by the Los Angeles-based artist only serves to intensify a faintly mysterious air to proceedings. The Brian Calvin monograph includes a foreword by Anton Kern, a conversation between the artist, Sarah Lehrer-Graiwer and Bruce Hainley and an interview by Alison M Gingeras; it’s available directly from the publisher.
Awake (for JK), 2004 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
Moss, 2011 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
Twin Palms, 2004 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
The Matt Dillon Pose, 2014 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
Broad Daylight, 2004 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
Codex (Head), 2009 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
Formation, 2003 © Brian Calvin
(Published by Black Dog Publishing and Anton Kern Gallery)
