About
Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître was the first to theorize that the universe was born from what he identified as the “primeval atom.” His hypothesis states that the present universe is the result of the radioactive disintegration of an atom. There is something so beautifully paradoxical about the theory that the entire universe we live in is the result of the disintegration of one molecule - and as incomprehensible as it may seem, this pattern of expansion through destruction is tried and proven over and over again.
Shit Art Club’s birth and growth is not dissimilar to the narrative of Lemaître’s theory. Our universe began with the disintegration and abandonment of the small idea that emerging artists who aren't sitting around painting pretty pictures on canvas would be allowed to enter the commercial art world. We knew that there was no room for us in an industry that deemed anything not accepted into the commercial canon as “shit.” So we created our own universe.
Our big bang started in a small house in Mar Vista, CA with a daytime event modestly titled, Shit Art Show. It was completely void of any curatorial aspect. In retrospect, having a show like that had a far more important impact than we ever thought it would have at the time. It allowed us as artists, our friends and the strangers who attended to see artwork in the context of life. While a gallery setting with gorgeous white walls and even light is most certainly the best way to view and experience art - it is also a beautiful thing to see art in an environment so unexpectedly raw. Art can make political statements, emotional statements and intellectual challenges - however, it is inherently romantic, anarchist and doesn't always have to have a function - which often leads to it not making much sense. It took some time for us to grow and mature as artists and creatives, and as we did and continue to we are not afraid to abandon more stereotypes and rules to make room for more creativity.
We are prepared to kick function and form to the curb. We are prepared to throw pretentiousness and modesty out the window. We are prepared to invite anyone to come into our home and join us on our creative crusade. Mark Twain famously wrote: “It's no wonder that truth is stranger than fiction. Fiction has to make sense.” What Shit Art Club does, might not make sense - but it is true, honest, authentic and real.
As we have grown as artists, our family has expanded - moved from a paint soaked backyard - and set roots in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. We foster anarchy and surrender to the natural order. In doing so, we learned that while you can’t find harmony in discord - you can still find a beautiful melody. We are like a symphony made up entirely of conductors - or a ballet full of prima donnas. Our universe is home to beauty, synchronicity, discordance and conceptual and aesthetic anarchy.
The MAC
Painter, Sculptor, Jewelry Maker, Botanist and SAC Founding Partner
The Mac is a visual artist from California. While his current primary focus is painting, he has experience in sculpture, jewelry making, photography and mixed media work. The concept of universal interconnectivity and a deep appreciation for what he likes to call “kindergarten art” is very evident in his naive style. The Mac's work is deeply inspired by his love of childhood’s imaginative nature and his unwillingness to fully surrender to adulthood. Recently, his work has taken a three-dimensional approach to painting and mixed media aspects are becoming more apparent in each work. By using mosaics, found materials, clay, foam, and sometimes electricity, the Mac has begun piecing the knowledge he has gained from past jobs into his current work. His efforts epitomize who the Mac is as a person and looking at his body of work gives a glimpse into his own history as well as his mental state.
Loser Angeles
Painter, Drawer, Raconteur and SAC Founding Partner
Loser Angeles is a visual artist based in Los Angeles, CA. Using a variety of mediums, Loser Angeles’ work features common subjects and characters spontaneously throughout his works - which explore and emphasize what he describes as “the oddness of the ordinary.”
Loser Angeles draws heavy influence from the absurd and non-sensical and creates work that challenges the viewer, or who he prefers to describe as “the participant” to abandon all recognition of meaning. His frequent use of bright and primary colors, bold graphics and text in his work are inspired by the primitive desire to see harmony in discord.
PETER PAN
Writer, Musician, Curator, and SAC Founding Partner
PETER PAN is an artist who typically uses words to articulate his ideas. Sometimes these words take the form of poetry, lyrics, essays, streams of consciousness or disjointed fragments – but they are always rooted in a creative thought or feeling he has experienced.
Lately, PETER PAN draws most of his influence from the harmony and discord he sees in Los Angeles, CA; where he lives and works. Whether it is the resilience of nature growing in the urban sprawl, economic discrepancies that change block by block, or the lifestyle differences of the seemingly all of the Angelenos — he lives amongst all of it. He internalizes these differences, digests his observations, then translates his thoughts into poetry, prose or criticism.
PAN believes it takes a balance of naivety and imagination to motivate oneself to listen and look for the stories that surround us everywhere. It is a part of something we all did as children. The other part was telling these stories. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way many people stop listening to the world, stop looking at themselves, stop sharing with others, stop imagining things, and stop making art. It is sad. Some people call this growing up.
PETER PAN refuses to stop creating and will never grow up.