Craig Hall Gallery: May 12 - 19, 2025

The West is Dead

Artist - Seth Fulenchek

     In 1956, Marcel Duchamp said, "I believe that art is the only form of activity in which man shows himself to be a true individual and is capable of going beyond the animal state, because art is an outlet towards regions which are not ruled by time and space. To live is to believe."

     I create the art I do and paint the subjects I do because I enjoy them. My whole life I've been surrounded by these subjects of Cowboys, Indians, and the Wild West. From watching old tv westerns with my grandpas, to watching movies like Tombstone or John Waynes "McLintock". I don't make these things to portray some underlying meaning of over urbanization in today's America or the lack of new representation of these subjects in today's pop culture. I simply just think these subjects are beautiful and worth my time to create. I pull subjects and ideas from old painters and sculptures like Frederic Remington and Charles Russell. As well as new painters like Mark Maggiori. I know that makes me an individual in the sense of a lot of people think art needs underlying social or controversial meanings, but I've never been the artist to do that. But if that makes me different then so be it, I believe in my art and what it is and that means I'm living.

     The art that I've always made I enjoy and find beautiful. It's a personal process, rooted in what speaks to me--not in what's expected or trending. I don't sit down with the goal of delivering a message or sparking debate; I create what I love, and I trust that's enough. If others connect with it, that's great--but connection must start with authenticity. Because if you want to conduct the orchestra, you have to turn your back on the audience. You have to trust your own rhythm and direction, even if it means standing alone.