Eric Stefanski, I'm Trying to Live Forever

Eric Stefanski
I'm Trying to Live Forever
September 14 - October 19, 2024

Artforum Must See

Opening Reception:
Saturday, September 14th, 6-8 pm

Lowell Ryan Projects is thrilled—and we do mean embarrassingly ecstatic—to announce I'm Trying to Live Forever, the debut solo exhibition of Chicago-based artist Eric Stefanski in Los Angeles. And yes, you heard it right—Eric is bringing his brand of lexemic art to the City of Angels. Get ready for twenty freshly painted 20 x 16-inch oil paintings serving up Stefanski’s signature mix of introspection with a hearty dollop of existential crisis and the kind of flair that says, yes, I know you've seen it all before, but not quite like this.

As you know, Stefanski isn't just lounging around, puffing on a spliff while contemplating the sublime. He's in the trenches, jotting down daily diaries of his artistic woes. This lettered catharsis flourishes into one-liners that capture everything from soul-crushing despair to hilariously bizarre moments, like when you realize you're discussing tones of cerulean blue with your dog as if it were an art critic. Like candy hearts on Valentine’s Day, these declarations tackle universal themes like resentment, self-importance, failure, and immortality—classic struggles that resonate with anyone who has a pulse. Stefanski emerges not just as an artist but as a provocateur, a jester challenging the sanctity of creative dogma with each stroke of his brush and tablet of Xanax.

Paying homage to art history's outdated macho narratives, Stefanski’s practice brings a fresh burst of unapologetic bravado. In the works They Don't Deserve Us and I Need You to Make Me Famous he's not just sharing his plans; he's shouting them from the rooftops. The titular piece, I'm Trying to Live Forever, is both a confession and a confrontation with the dread that his art might not outlive him. Picture a daily battle with imposter syndrome, where some days you feel like Picasso, and other days you're just the person who forgot to clean the paintbrushes. Meanwhile, Breaking News: Everything is Shit delivers a tabloid headline that cuts through the pretentious nonsense of the art world like a hot knife through butter.

Stefanski's latest exhibition doesn’t just challenge the art world, it provides a tasered jolt to the pit of your stomach through a saccharine-sweet palette of evanescent joy. He's here to debunk the myth of the "artistic wunderkind" and prove that true mastery comes from relentless self-questioning, occasional dumpster fires, and a hefty dose of chutzpah.

Images by Charles White at JWPictures.com, courtesy of the artist and Lowell Ryan Projects.