We had the good fortune of connecting with Gregory Malphurs and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve been an artist my entire life. My grandfather was a painter and I grew up in his studio, so from the time I could grip a pencil, I’ve been an artist. My journey has taken me from Florida to Texas to New York and finally to where I am today in Los Angeles. Being an artist is very difficult on a personal level. You need a lot of belief and self confidence to keep going because you hear a massive amount “no’s.”

I’m fascinated with what makes us tick – that we are, all of us, fragmented and complicated. Our minds and our lives are moving at 100mph. Like images on a movie screen – in perpetual motion. In my work currently, there is a recognition of our commonality in total confusion. An celebration of the imperfect that allows us to embrace our insecurities without judgement with the idea that: “Yeah, we’re all f*#!d up, but we’re doing the best we can.”

I’m endlessly compelled by faces and exploring ways to understand them. I don’t really gravitate to traditional, realist portraiture in painting. It doesn’t makes sense to me. It only resonates for me in photography – where I find it compelling. Rendering a perfect representation of a face is easy – you have a road map. The eye goes here, there are only two, etc. I’m trying to go off the map. All of my work is essentially assemblage or collage. Its just not what we traditionally think of when we think “collage.” And what I am trying to do, is find new ways of representing the face by bringing seemingly disparate “features” together to rewrite or reconfigure faces.

Right now I am finishing up a body of work for a solo show, Perpetual Motion, opening July 15 at Speedy Gallery LA. The work explores in depth the ideas I’ve just mentioned.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Santa Monica so first thing is we would walk to the promenade overlooking SaMo beach. And then drive them through the Palisades and up the 1 to Malibu. I think it’s one of the most beautiful spots in the world. We’d definitely take a day trip to Ventura. And another day to hike to a waterfall in Angeles National Forest. I think you need a day for The Broad. And then another for the Getty.

Restaurants: definitely Le Great Outdoor, Chez Jay and Wurstküche. Drinks at Santa Monica Brewing.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Artist Maxine Helfman. Without here support, advice, friendship and mentorship I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Website: www.gregorymalphurs.com

Instagram: @gregorymalphurs

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