Elliot Avis
Flippa in Studio Oil, Oil Stick, Acrylic, on Canvas over Panel, Artist Made Frame, 72 x 90 in, 2021
Elliot Avis B. 1995 is a multimedia artist working through the lens of contemporary painting. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he is currently working out of the greater Detroit area as he finishes his MFA at the Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Can you tell us a bit about the process of making your work?
I love the meme that compares the studio we dream of, something like De Koonings, vs what your studio actually looks like and it shows Francis Bacon's gross messy dungeon of a studio. I am definitely on the Bacon side but a lot of that comes from me being incredibly playful in my process of making. I love mixing some goopy materials and using fast expressive motions to create my work. That being said I may have to sit and stare at a piece for hours to decide what exactly it may need.
Your work does such a good job of juxtaposing media with fantasy. What is your connection with fantasy, cartoons and the narratives that you create in your work?
Thank you! According to my mom, I would sneak out of my crib to turn on the tv and watch Ren and Stimpy. Growing up in the late ’90s and early 2000’s I as most people my generation were the first to grow up with 24-hour tv stations. I spent thousands of hours fully immersed in cartoon and video game worlds. These simulated cartoon worlds are just the latest iteration of storytelling that humans have been doing for millennia. I look at everything from Rocko’s modern life, to Charlamagne, and Abrahamic tales for inspiration. I find it fascinating how we use these imaginary worlds to help explain the strangeness of our own.
Kynodesme, Mixed Media Installation, 2020
What are some references you draw upon in your work? Are there any themes in particular that you like to focus on when creating?
All of the references of my work are autobiographical in some way, in that they represent an interest of mine but that could range anywhere from cartoons, religion, history, or even pure math. As far as themes go I am aiming more for a feeling rather than someone understanding all of the references that may exist in a work. I often say my work acts as an inside joke with myself where I will have very specific layered references that I am using, but my crude and playful style obscures the majority of those. I like to leave the viewer with a work that feels fun, playful, maybe nostalgic, but at the same time having a slightly darker undertone or uneasiness in the piece.
Where are some of your favorite spaces that support contemporary art or design? Now that the art has an online presence has that changed?
Of course, I would have to say Project Gallery V! I certainly love the rise in digital platforms especially on Instagram who highlight the amazing up-and-coming emerging artists. Another one would be @itsnotgallery, and @rfcuratorial a couple of galleries who I adore and put on fresh shows are Skylab Gallery in Columbus Ohio, and Shag Space in Charlotte North Carolina.
Death of a Gnome Child, Mixed Media Installation, 2021
Who are some of your favorite artists? Or who has been inspirational recently? Feel free to mention any artists from friends to blue chips or books about artists.
Of course, there are too many to name! Recently though I have been absolutely obsessed with medieval illuminations, and the similarities to early computer graphics especially in games like Runescape. As far as contemporary people go there are so many, but I really love the works of Taylor White, Ginny Casey, Robert Nava, Stanley Whitney, Cristina De Miguel, and I am always looking at Soutine and Twombly. Also, Taylor Stewart @junkclub on Instagram is the most recent incarnation of Joan of Arc and one of my favorite artists working today.
Do you have any shows coming up? Anything else you would like to share?
Nothing in the immediate future, but I post new work on my Instagram @smelliotavis and you can also check out my website elliotavis.com
Elliot Avis’s work is included in our show “Transcendental States” September 15th - October 15th, 2021. Visit his work at the above links!