Mark Bradford Interview: Layers of Violence

“I pillage my own work. I tear it down and build it up in traces.” Let us introduce you to American painter Mark Bradford, who doesn’t use traditional paint but material “that has something to do with the social fabric of the times we live in.”
“From a distance it looks like paint. As you move closer you begin to realise that it’s not paint, but it’s not actually collage. It’s an amalgamation of materials that cling to the city.” Instead of paint, Bradford uses liquefied paper, which shares similarities with paint. He uses billboard paper from the streets or building material from any building supply store. Instead of “looking in,” which he finds to be typical of modernist painting, Bradford has chosen to “look out.”
Bradford feels that his way of working on canvasses is aggressive, even violent: “It’s like tearing into the body. It’s very physical. It’s like if I just took my hand and reached in and pulled out the heart and then yanked it out.”
Mark Bradford (b. 1961) is an American painter. One of Bradford’s concerns is improving society with his art as well as through a number of social projects. His work can be found in prominent international venues such as San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, REDCAT in Los Angeles and Saatchi Gallery in London. In 2014 Bradford was presented with the US Department of State’s Medal of Arts. He lives and works in Los Angeles, California.
Mark Bradford was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner at his studio in Los Angeles, California in January 2016.
Camera: Jakob Solbakken
Edited by: Miriam Nielsen
Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner
Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2016

[@alfgwahigain5544]

Not all artists can talk about their work or process or thoughts on art in general in a compelling way, but Mark Bradford does so at length. Really fascinating, and I love his work.

[@BellCricket]

I love how he thinks about his art. Beautifully constructed.

[@jasonpudwill1587]

Mark is an art god! I love that his voice is heard, we all have a story to tell.

[@kusonoqui]

Never before i have seen the work of Mark! Really BEAUTIFUL thanks Louisiana!

[@timdanyo898]

One of my favorites.. I love the looking outwards, layers, memories,, civilizations, etc..

[@patriciarussell1177]

I luv That you see are looking out not aren’t looking in and you’re looking at the every day environment and there’s so much beauty in it

[@ilahjarvis]

Fascinating. I love how he is inventing a new medium that relates directly with the world, and creating a history in his work by building it, removing it and rebuilding it again. While he is working in the studio, he isn't in an ivory tower- he is very much connected with the outside environment and the cycles it goes through.

[@karenbishop5885]

It is amazing, and great that you are doing good community work with your success.

[@pollardk.1116]

great work. Well thought out about his process. Mark Bradford has definitely left his mark. I like to meet him.

[@paulinawaas9204]

Beautiful work!

[@nj-nv1no]

Wow I’ve never seen so many negative comments on a Louisiana channel video! You guys should be ashamed of yourself, leaving hate online. This guys a great artist with a good vision and a unique style

[@suelirodrigues4456]

Adorei!!!!! Bela composição!! Uma poesia!!!!😍

[@emiliopoljanec9006]

VERY INTERESTING ... THANK YOU ! 🙏

[@act1on1337]

beautifully said

[@kathleens.laroche754]

Wonderful work. I've recently been looking at and listening to artists whose abstract work does not, in my opinion, communicate their intellectual intent behind it. However, I think your work is very successful in this regard and, of course, visually as well. I am psyched to find out what else I can about you online. Kudos to you!

[@Colorman69]

like the blue bar left before you put the piece back on @ 2:47 looks great Mark....Peter Reginato

[@skiphoffenflaven8004]

Pretty wicked assessment. It is fabric, through and through.

[@geoffreydawson5430]

I think most people call your concept trash. But hey, you are on KZbin, what a star!

[@chineainguanzo6341]

Interesting ,I sometimes think about re inventing myself .abstract is my final proven ground.i congratulate you!! Good work!

[@EnvoyeeSpeciale-ey9bx]

Very intresting point of view.

[@hotelalphabet]

Look out for the brilliant Mark Bradford at the Venice Biennale 2017!

[@yupolch-abstractartsession7610]

cool stuf here. abstract beauty at work.

[@StorieGrubb]

respect.

[@anoshya]

I’m glad the guy has done well.I prefer the artists who talk less.I enjoyed the interview by Agnes Martin in the late 90s..dropping the self when painting...the Zen masters said that art was purposeless..good,luck to this man

[@gbriel3304]

Really interesting materiality

[@user-by8rh4pp8n]

אהבתי עבודה עם נשמה, ספונטניות מתוכננת

[@Martist1986]

So deep

[@user-ob9zo9cr4c]

nice

[@gregorylent]

lot of paint in that studio :-)

[@XerxeszOfPersia]

Original art!

[@MordyTHEMisnomer]

The Patina of Life.

[@sapporro1]

He talks a good game. And the work IS intriguing. He's definitely found a Portal...

[@johncastle8254]

He would love the city dump

[@juliag.1231]

I kind of had to think of Anselm Kiefer... with all those layers and brutality...

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

👨‍🎨

[@timothywaldron9916]

"rome on top of rome"

[@joel-hv8vc]

my god..

[@chopsonyou2007]

Too hell with the negative comments on here by people who are clueless bragging about their own ignorance

[@SilhouetteJudas]

So it’s basically paper mache

[@jhb61249]

I feel his cobalt blue must be a cheap grade inferior paint. He should consider using a higher grade more expensive paint like Williamsburg or Gamblin. Also, a few nice flowers and a sunset would be a good addition!

[@matiasmov1]

Great works, but...layers of violence?..

[@jorgeramosroque2219]

Este tipo de arte es atrapa pendejos .

[@amandabenarroch5990]

es una mierda.

[@elizabethhurtado2829]

🇺🇲🗽🧸

[@rogerrobie2451]

nah.........

[@juicyplums4832]

Lmao 3 of his paintings are in my basement right now

[@ericmalone3213]

"The whole Modernist project is to look in and, to kind of, isolate yourself" Really? Is that what they told you at art school?

[@cedarraine7829]

Too much talking. Too many words. I like Gagosian videos that just show the work without the annoying audio.

[@ProducoesRecicla]

There is a big I in all your work, Mark. I'm not an official critic, but from what I saw, it just looks like a Rauschenberg piece done by other guy with different problems and probably more self centered. Really cannot understand the why of if, but again, i'm not a critic. If you see it without that small context that is life is revolving, you might find that emptiness that we normally see in this type of practice. It is not the viewer that is empty, no, it's just that your language is too complex where the reality is very often quite very simple and subtle. I recommend shoemaking. Lot's of honest work in there and you'll be making something that has a real use. Good luck!

[@douglasrothman]

wtf are u talking about u started out making somewhat sense but dam

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

Oãoj Olem: That's a lovely word salad that you served up here.

[@juicyplums4832]

Tell me I won't kick in all 3 of his paintings

[@baba-vh7hb]

too much lsd

[@armorv1531]

it's merde.

[@jameswarhol442]

I like Bradford's surfaces but stop trying to explain them in silly, meaningless terms like it's "the ghost at the end of the party." Just say it's expensive decoration.

[@jakeb4026]

I feel like this guy knows he should be using paint

[@kikeheebchinkjigaboo6631]

A poor attempt at Action Painting?

[@earinsound]

you didn't listen to anything he said. it's not even PAINT

[@dantelinden986]

Na bru this is poop

[@josephcambron7060]

Bullcrap, horsecrap!