HELLO MARCUS AND WELCOME BACK TO ANOTHER COLLABORATION WITH 4BYSIX. IT’S GREAT TO HAVE YOU BACK AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK TO US.

TO START, PLEASE CAN YOU GIVE US A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO YOURSELF AND YOUR PRACTICE FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE COMING ACROSS YOUR WORK FOR THE FIRST TIME; WHAT ARE THE KEY DRIVING FORCES BEHIND YOUR PRACTICE? 

I have been actively making art for 40 years since I was 18 years old and have managed to make my own space in the contemporary art world over that period of time having works in Museum collections from the United States, Russia, Asia to Europe. My driving force has always been living out my passion and activism through art.

YOU RECENTLY WORKED ON AN AIR BAG FROM A DISCONTINUED FERRARI CALIFORNIA AS PART OF 4BYSIX’S VEHICLES FOR CHANGE INITIATIVE, CAN YOU TELL US HOW YOU FOUND THE PROCESS COMPARED TO OUR LAST COLLABORATION IN WHICH YOU WORKED ON REPURPOSED LORRY TARPAULIN?

The material was different and it’s always interesting to be challenged on how to respond differently. I enjoyed the unstable surface that provided new possibilities and effects and worked with acrylics this time instead of oils.

WHAT MORE CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS PIECE; WAS THERE A PARTICULAR NARRATIVE OR POINT IN HISTORY WHICH INSPIRED YOU?

The Mechanic, is part of my faceless series and was based off a work I did for my good friend Lawrence Voytek’s work I made a few years ago, who worked for Robert Rauschenberg.

GIVEN THAT YOUR WORK SERVES ITSELF AS AN AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL COMMENTARY, CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND CONNECTIONS TO THIS PROJECT AND WORKING WITH CAR PARTS?

As with Lawrence’s, for me this work is inspired by the obscure workers behind the scenes. Oftentimes these people are faceless to the public but essential to the production. I thought of them while creating this painting.

LASTLY, HOW ARE YOU AND HOW HAS LIFE IN THE STUDIO BEEN TREATING YOU? ARE YOU WORKING ON ANY NEW PROJECTS OR IDEAS?

Yes, we are completing my latest book titled, COUNTERPOINT, it has text by Art Historians, Dr. Ena Heller, director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art, Dr. Charles Moore and former Jean Michel Basquiat’s former studio assistant, John Seed, as well as my own commentary for the first time published alongside my work. This is my  first major publication in eight years that will be published next year in 2027 globally, but 100 autographed copies will be released October 31. 2026 at wwww.counterpointbook.com

We are also getting ready for the Armory Show in New York with my longstanding gallery, Richard Beavers Gallery in New York, celebrating our 25th year anniversary of friendship, and gallery artist relationship.