The last time we crossed paths with the New York-based artist Michael Bevilacqua, we were in Miami for Art Week. At SCOPE, his works were presented by Neumann Wolfson Art, luring the public in to paintings of hooded figures and nostalgic references.
Today, the artist is aiming to keep healthy and sane amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Isolated in the Bronx, he’s working on a new series of works, getting creative with plant-based burgers, and listening to tons of music.
Courtesy of Michael Bevilacqua.
Whitewall caught up with Bevilacque to hear more.
WHITEWALL: How are you doing?
Courtesy of Michael Bevilacqua.
MICHAEL BEVILACQUA: I am fine. Home with my family, 3 kids—ages 23, 20, and 17. We are generally upbeat and working on various projects. We’re going out to walk the dog and getting groceries.
WW: What are you listening to?
Courtesy of Michael Bevilacqua.
MB: Music is always key to me and my work. I’m listening to: “Pony” by Orville Peck; “The pale Emperor” by Marilyn Manson; “Germ Free Adolescents” by X-Ray Spex; “Igor” by Tyler the Creator; “Singles” by Sisters of Mercy; “Duty Now for the Future” by Devo; and songs by Blood Witch, Rosalia, Gossip, and Patti Smith.
WW: What are you reading?
Courtesy of Michael Bevilacqua.
MB: Jean Cocteau’s Opium: Diary of a Cure.
WW: What are you cooking?
Courtesy of Michael Bevilacqua.
MB: Cooking is always a great time at our house. Marisa and I generally cook in and around each other. And Sometimes our kids cook. Every night seems like Friday night Shabbat. We are all together. Getting very creative with impossible burger plant-based protein… We also like to order in to keep local restaurants in business.
WW: How are you staying connected?
MB: It’s all about Instagram, and my various galleries are highlighting artists with videos and images.
WW: How are you staying creative? Are you able to work at this time?
MB: I feel like I am having a burst of creativity. I saw a meme on Instagram a friend posted of an anime man coming out of the water with an ominous look on his face. Underneath the image it said the words “That Bitch.” And that’s what I think of this Coronavirus. Menacing, nasty, relentless, and invisible. So, I bought a bunch of watercolor paper and have completed about 14 works on paper and currently working on about six canvases at home.
I am also able to go to the studio because I work alone and my building in the Bronx is empty. It’s nice to know that my work is solely made by me and I don’t rely on assistants.
WW: Where are you finding hope or continued inspiration?
MB: I see inspiration everywhere. Life should affect an artist. Making your status quo work at this point in times like these seems really bizarre to me.
Picasso has his blue period because it was a certain time, and he took that pain and turned it into an incredible moment in his career.
My series “That Bitch: QuarCo19” are only made with green paint and markers. Yes, It’s my green period.
