art no. 2 - AJ Fosik

Hi-Fructose Vol. 18 Cover, “In the Teeth of Stupefying Odds” Wood, paint and nails. 48” x48” 

When I saw the cover of Hi-Fructose Vol. 18 it immediately reminded me that I had seen AJ Fosik’s work before...Several times in fact but probably most notably at Fecal Face Dot Com ages ago. I always mean to take note of the visual artists that intrigue me but somehow usually forget to...

(above left) “To Save All, Risk All” Wood, paint and nails. 40” x 24” x 15”
(above right) “Thaumaturgic Bull” Wood, paint and nails.30” x 27” x 18"

While I had initially been fascinated by his bright, hypnotic, folky mounted heads (which to a certain extent remind me of the imagery of dragons and fanciful creatures that punctuate many culture’s mythology and also the style of Japanese woodblock prints) I was a little bit taken aback with how Lainya Magaña’s introduction, in Hi-Fructose, described what his work represents: “Fosik’s feral creations take the shape of fantastic or true animal beings that communicate a subversive, anti-religious commentary through the depiction of hyperbolized fictional gods.” There is a connection I certainly wasn’t in any rush to see.

Wood, paint and nails. 2008

“As Good as Any God” Wood, paint and nails. 2009

“Untitled Head” Wood, paint and nails. 2009

“Being in so far as being goes” Wood, paint and nails. 2009

“Self Portrait” Wood, paint and nails. 2008

"One Hundred Percent Savage” Wood, paint and nails. 2009

More at AJ Fosik’s photostream

It certainly seems like his motivations are evolving with his work (perhaps in direct proportion to his notoriety). I do sometimes wish I wasn’t motivated to find out more about the visual artists I enjoy, e.g. Shepard Fairey.

I do however like the “distinctly American quality to the three-dimensional ursine beasts...that Fosik has poured out over the last years.” Especially as Swindle Magazine continues on to say: “But ‘American’ can be a challenging feeling to articulate, however much one knows it when they see it."

Above Photos of AJ Fosik in his home by Alex Lukas via Fecal Face Dot Com

It’s not so much of a stretch to see “familiar cultural icons and traditions are re-configured, confronting the viewer with cryptic symbols from overlapping sources,” as described by Pictoplasma.



::sigh:: It’s just I really enjoy this imagery...oh well.

“Make It Well” Wood, paint, nails. 20” x 36” x 13” 2010