Los Angeles-based Llyn Foulkes – known for his mixed-media practice, notably his satirical paintings of historic and commercial American icons, and whose works have been included in the collections of, among others, MOCA, the Guggenheim Museum, L.A.’s The Hammer and Germany’s Museum Kurhaus Kleve, as well as having been the subject of the 2013 documentary, “One Man Band” – plumbs his own psychological depths only to discover what makes him love work and life.
What historical art figure would you like to have lunch with and why? DeKooning, because he was good.
What did you purchase with the proceeds from your first sale? A German helmet.
What words or phrases do you overuse? I don’t have an answer for that.
Crime Does Not Pay, 1949, Ink on paper
How do you know when a work is finished? When it’s done.
When and where were you happiest? When I was in my high school band.
Land for Sale, 2017, Acrylic, vinyl, photograph, wood and printed media on wood panel
What is your most treasured possession? A face that my son did when he was on psilocybin in Berkeley that he made out of clay.
Where is your ideal escape destination? Death in my sleep.
What’s the worst survival job you’ve ever had? Teaching at Ellsberg College.
Untitled, 1962, Photograph, found objects, acrylic, printed media and paper on wood panel
What TV series from your youth best describes your approach to life? I’m going to skip that one.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Die in my sleep.
At Ease, 2025, Ink, rock, shell and oil on panel
What is your most treasured memory? I don’t have a treasured memory.
What makes you smile? Watching Natalie Portman on TV.
What makes you cry? Losing a son or a daughter.
Love You, Too, 2025, Oil and mixed media on velvet paper
What is your go-to drink when you toast to a sale? I don’t drink.
Tivoli: Portrait of Walt Disney, 2014, Photographs, oil paint, ink and found objects on laminated particle board
After an all-nighter, what’s your breakfast of champions? Corn Flakes.
Who inspires you? My first girlfriend.
What’s your best quality? I have none.
What’s your biggest flaw? I have none.
Portrait by Fredrik Nilsen. Courtesy of the Artist.
What is your current state of mind? Waiting to die.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Winning the Paris Biennale.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? A good person.
Foulkes’ exhibition, Llyn Foulkes: Time’s Witness, June 28 – September 13, 2025 at The Pit; cover image by The Dark Bob, 2013; all other images courtesy of The Pit. Visit the artist at http://llynfoulkes.com
ArtNowLA would like to give a special shout-out to The Dark Bob, who helped coordinate this interview.
