A Los Angeles artist has set fire to the art world, the media and bank rooftops, all with the stroke of a paintbrush. Alex Schaefer is creating a series of paintings depicting major banks in flames.
Schaefer, 41, says inspiration for the paintings comes from an amalgamation of the scenes of rebellion and burning buildings in the media, his love for en plein air (on location) painting and the “symbolic fire of economic destruction being reaped upon us.”
This series has brought him many things in the past three months. In addition to the admiration of civilian passersby, 70 eBay bids, countless stories of experiences with back-stabbing banks, and coverage from over 15 news outlets, He has also attracted the attention of the Los Angeles Police Department.
On July 30, while painting a piece depicting a Van Nuys Chase Bank with its roof engulfed in vibrant flames, two officers approached Schaefer, asking him whether he was a terrorist and if he planned to carry out what his art portrayed. He responded, “No.” He says he only entertains the thought on canvas and that his paintings are intended to be a visual metaphor. Schafer was not intimidated by the police and thought nothing of it until two more officers showed up at his doorstep asking the same array of questions.
“The flames symbolize bringing the system down,” he said. “Some might say that the banks are the terrorists.” The finished pieces will be featured in a show called “Disaster Capitalism,” in February at Inglewood’s Beacon Arts Building. (Los Angeles Times, Aug. 28)
The Party for Socialism and Liberation supports all artists like Schaefer who use their art as a means to develop and further the class struggle.
