Loser Angeles is a visual artist from Los Angeles, CA. Using a variety of mediums, Loser Angeles spontaneously features common subjects and characters throughout his work - which explores and emphasizes what he describes as “the oddness of the ordinary.” Blurring the lines between abstract expressionism and figurative painting that gives a nod to The Chicago Imagists and Junge Wilde schools.
His new series, Sports, is no exception from his traditional exploration into society’s strange parts, however, it marks a slight departure. Rather than exaggerating the ghastly parts suppressed in the everyman’s id and ego, he shifts focus to our collective celebration of physical idealism; more specifically, the psychology behind our elevation and adoration of certain individuals. This series includes selections from a body of work made over the last two years in Los Angeles. The figures he paints have traded their briefcases, suits, neckties, and dress shoes for baseballs, uniforms, rollerblades and other equipment.
Despite the radical change of his subjects’ apparel and accessories, there is evidence in each piece that Loser still remains in a state of Meta Awareness while painting. His ability to make work while simultaneously identifying that he is situationally aware, gives him the unique ability to objectively criticize social circumstances, then illustrate his critiques - projecting them onto each canvas through the lens of his own subjective distortion.
Sports is not a series that gets caught up in the esoteric minutia often incorporated by artists today designed to patronize the viewer. He chooses not to make the viewer self-conscious by keeping them in their place and causing discomfort by using shock value and projecting trauma. Rather, he piques their self-awareness by drawing them in to the work. He pulls them out of their stadium seat to rush the field and to play ball with him. This encourages us to reexamine how we identify with success and victory, how groups cannibalize individualism, and how passions are approved by financial success and corporate influence.
Loser Angeles’ Sports reminds us that in many ways artists and athletes are the same. Sports team fans and political parties are identical. Creative genius and physical prowess are exaggerated congruently. In a world of individuals and specialists, Loser Angeles reminds us that our similarities are what make us most special.
This show is dedicated to Kerry Fahey; a uniquely sweet soul, the last of the Dharma Bums, and the man who serendipitously entered our lives at Shit Art Club. Gone but not forgotten. HAIL KERRY!
Sports opens Saturday, March 27th 2021 and is available by appointment. Schedule a viewing here.
Can’t make it to the show? Take the virtual tour below: