Known for his hyper-realistic paintings, Marc Dennis explores the charged subjects of identity, pleasure and decadence. From flowers that are too sweet to be true, to re-created classical paintings, his art celebrates the subversive potential of beauty. He merges various movements throughout the western art historical canon with modern tropes in order to create clever, provocative and symbolic contemporary paintings that play on our psychological, cultural and spiritual relationships. In short, we prefer his hyper-realistic flowers even to real ones.
My signature outfit is… a simple black long sleeve T-shirt, black slim fit Levis, black track suit jacket, black leather jacket (and if it matters, black Calvin Klein briefs and often colorful patterned Diesel socks or Happy Socks brand) with either Ralph Lauren white suede Oxford Bucks covered in colored spots and dots of paint, or Cole Haan black Chelsea style boots or black Hugo Boss low-top sneakers.
The best style advice I was ever given… was actually never spoken to me, but rather a passage I read in “Out of My Later Years,” by Albert Einstein, where he wrote (paraphrasing), “I minimized my choices of clothing in order to save precious moments being concerned with frivolous details.”
I would never wear… a Montreal Canadiens jersey
Number of unanswered mails in your account today… 293
My favourite travel device is… my art
On a plane I normally spend my time… listening to music, almost always the renowned a capella group called Anonymous Four
He merges various movements throughout the western art historical canon with modern tropes in order to create clever, provocative and symbolic contemporary paintings that play on our psychological, cultural and spiritual relationships.
“More Than Without”, 2017, oil on linen, 44 x 56 inches. (description of image: white flowers with blood spatter)
Top 3 songs on my headphone… my top songs change quite a bit, but based on what I seem to play often are the following: Tupac Shakur – California Love, Metallica – Enter Sandman, and Neil Young – Heart of Gold
In the gym I… wouldn’t be there.
What’s on for dinner… grilled steak soft flour tacos, seasoned with adobo, smothered with roasted orange and yellow bell peppers, jalapeño peppers, and topped with Cholula Chile Lime Hot Sauce, shredded lettuce, shredded Oaxaca, Cotija, Chihuahua and Manchego cheeses and lots of fresh cilantro. And of course served with a cold Victoria beer.
“Rock Star”, 2016, oil on linen, 72 x 60 inches (description of image: Las Meninas with disco ball)
My necessary extravagance is… Tri-Mar aluminium stretchers, or if it’s actually considered an “extravagance,” I like to talk a lot.
If I could host a party for anyone it would be… Sir David Attenborough or Sister Wendy
In the art world currently I find most exciting that… long-standing paradigms are evolving and a globalized expansion of newer markets are occurring.
My daily art read is… Artsy
“YOLO”, 2018. oil on linen, 40 x 40 inches (description of image: back of woman’s head with YOLO tattoo on her neck)
In my bedroom I have an artwork by… my daughter and another by my son
The most arty city is… New York
My favourite art-world ladies are… Amy Phelan, Beth Dewoody and Maria Brito
Instagram: @darcmennis
Photos via Marc Dennis
