Artist Statement

Larry Stewart Artist statement “Untitled Landlord” Hudson Yards Gallery

This piece asks you to consider your roots. It does not ask for your bloodline but the seeds of life that proliferated long before you. The roots that served as the keeper of the land in which you live. It uses the silhouette of an indigenous chief, and its composition speaks of these people's relationship to modern society. The silhouette is in the center of the canvas, urging the viewer to focus on these cultures to understand their central role in allowing for the world we know today. Through style, the artist interweaves the urban culture of America today with that of its original landlords. The profile of the chief serves as the base, and modern street art style fills the inside of its borders, conveying the inseparable relationship of the two. No matter how much the current society changes, it will always be rooted in these indigenous peoples' life and energy.

 

Biography

Chris Zaccaria (AKA Abusive Robot) is an LGBT artist based in NYC who self-identifies as a zany person. As a child in suburban Philadelphia, Zaccaria developed a keen imagination and a propensity to escape the reality of being an LGBT child by going into his mind. Chris’s imagination - overactive at times - was fostered by his loving mother - who encouraged creativity and expression. Her tragic death is what drove Chris Zaccaria to finally launch Abusive Robotics.

Since then, Chris has worked to portray the realities of Abusive Robotics in acrylic on canvas from his studio in Brooklyn. Formally trained in data analysis, Zaccaria applies a similar skillset to his art and is known for his ability to take complex concepts or emotions and break them down into a relatable image that tells a story. Just be sure to pay attention to the details – as sometimes something is nothing – but other times it is something… Zaccaria considers his inspirations to be Dr. Seuss, Spirituality, Eastern European religious iconography and the everyday happenings of life.