ARTIST OF THE WEEK- Allison Schulnik

Hobo Clown, Allison Schulnik, Stop-motion film still, 2008

Hobo Clown #6, and detail, Allison Schulnik, Oil on canvas, 96"X 68", 2008

White Visitor #2, and detail, Allison Schulnik, Oil on canvas, 68" x 64", 2006

Allison Schulnik is a painter, sculptor, animator and an illustrator. The first time I've seen her work was in the New American Painting magazine and I thought it was horrible because of how muddy her paintings looked. But that's what I was wrong about. Her paintings reflect and seem to be inspired by her stop motion work. It has the same heavy, thick, and playful feelings as her clown video. Her paintings are applied really thick with many layers that it is almost sculptural and her work is very dark and yet it resolves around this realm of fantasy and child-play. Within 9 years since she received her BFA she has managed to have 5 solo shows, be selected for New American Painting magazine TWICE, also have publications about her in Art in America, Art Review,and LA Times, and be part of group exhibitions throughout the world.