Larry Eppley

Biographical Info Chicago-based American artist Larry Eppley creates abstract compositions that reflect subjects of imminence and belief. Spinning through the aesthetic grist of Pop and Neo Expressionist artists– from Keith Haring to Jean Michel Basquiat – Eppley’s work embraces an uncensored punk sensibility while upholding the traditions of action painting. Like odes to his generational heroes, Eppley captures the zeitgeist of the early 80s in his tableaus, punctuated by contemporary layers of humor, irony and irreverence.   Incorporating elements reminiscent of street art, Eppley appropriates fragments of low-cultural ephemera to construct tableaus infused with graffiti, a dense network of text inscriptions that are then overlaid with stylized imagery. The result is a style that can best be described as “embodied abstraction” – one that skillfully weaves the essence of timeless masterpieces and societal shifts. Eppley chronicles sweeping effects of global events such as the pandemic, uprisings, and cultural norms on the collective human psyche.

Artist Type artist

Location Chicago, IL

Short Description I have painted all my life, as a credible creative outlet, but I really kicked it into high gear at the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic and the work from home orders. Something about being sent home and being isolated from my former “regular” routine re-energized my commitment to art. I was anxious to explore my narrative. I needed painting to communicate. I am the same age as Haring, Basquiat, Bono, Michael Stipe, etc., so in a sense I am just holding up my end of the bargain. My level of production has been ferocious, and I’ve been fortunate to display my work in shows and commercial settings, and my paintings are also starting to find homes with friends and strangers.

Website

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/larryeppleyart/

Art01 LEppley_GazaStarringtheInnocent.JPEG

Art01 Caption Gaza! Starring the Innocent, 2023, oil stick, marker, and acrylic on prepared canvas, 48” x 72” (two panels, 48” x 36” ea.)

Art02 LEppley_Someday.JPEG

Art02 Caption Someday, 2023, oil stick, marker, and acrylic on prepared canvas, 48” x 30”

Art03 LEppley_SpringRunLike-Hell.JPEG

Art03 Caption Spring/Run Like Hell, 2023, 72” x 72” (two panels, 72” x 36” ea.)

Art04 LEppley_OneWish.JPEG

Art04 Caption One Wish, 2023, oil stick and acrylic on prepared canvas, 60” x 48”