Little, Big

By Andrew Masullo in Galleries — 23 Apr 2012

Irresistible paintings don’t always need giant frames. An interview with the painter who electrified this year’s Whitney Biennial.

TMN: When does a painting start?

Andrew Masullo: When I buy the supplies.

TMN: What’s the longest it’s taken you to complete a painting?

Andrew Masullo: I’m still working on it. Continue reading ↓

What critics are calling Masullo’s “pure painting” is catching on. His work has been featured in 20 group shows in the last two years. Next spring, he’ll put up a solo exhibit at Mary Boone Gallery in Chelsea. All images used with permission, © copyright the artist, all rights reserved.

“4492” (2005); 10 x 8 in.

“5265” (2010–11); 10 x 8 in.

“5292” (2011); 10 x 8 in.

“5141” (2009–10); 10 x 8 in.

“5147” (2009–10); 10 x 8 in.

“5030” (2008–10); 24 x 30 in.

“5171” (2009º–10); 16 x 20 in.

“4983” (2008); 8 x 10 in.

Interview continued

TMN: Coffee or tea?

Andrew Masullo: Water.

TMN: Light liquor or dark liquor?

Andrew Masullo: I never acquired a taste for alcohol.

TMN: Do you ever think of paintings as being open or closed?

Andrew Masullo: The ones I like are open.

TMN: Your paintings are numbered. Do you have a favorite number?

Andrew Masullo: Eleven and 111 and 1,111 and so on.

TMN: How many paintings do you work on at the same time?

Andrew Masullo: Twenty or 30 (but none of them know about the others).

TMN: If not painting, what job could you see yourself doing?

Andrew Masullo: Countertenor.

TMN: When do you work?

Andrew Masullo: When I need repair.

TMN: Why do you paint?

Andrew Masullo: Hafta.

TMN: Do you nap?

Andrew Masullo: Only when forced to.

TMN: Where do your color choices come from?

Andrew Masullo: In meinem Kopf!

TMN: Are you ever scared while painting?

Andrew Masullo: No, that’s about the only thing that doesn’t scare me.

TMN: What is your favorite household appliance?

Andrew Masullo: Television.

TMN: If you had to choose one: Uma Thurman or astronomy?

Andrew Masullo: I’ve never seen an Uma Thurman movie. I have seen the moon.

TMN: Mondrian or Cézanne?

Andrew Masullo: Stettheimer.

TMN: In other painters you admire, what two qualities do you tend to admire most?

Andrew Masullo: Their humility and their stick-to-it-iveness.

TMN: Do you have any things you always do while working?

Andrew Masullo: I always sit on the floor.

TMN: What does it take to sustain a vision of a career?

Andrew Masullo: It’s all about the work, not about the career.

TMN: How do you know when a painting is done?

Andrew Masullo: The same way you know a conversation is done.

TMN: Do dreams matter to you?

Andrew Masullo: Daring to err and dream go hand in hand.