Artist Max Grundy is a Salt Lake City native who received his MFA from BYU. He currently resides in Los Angeles. His work can be seen at the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll this Friday, June 16, as part of the Rictus-Mortar exhibit at The Unknown Gallery, 353 W. 200 South. The exhibit runs through July 14.
nnWhen did you know you were an artist?
nnI guess it all started when I made a face out of a Sloppy Joe sandwich during preschool. My teacher loved it.
nnWhat is the inspiration behind your work?
nnMy work is influenced by nuclear-era Russian, American, German and Chinese propaganda art. My work tries to diffuse the power media has over our society. Media is a powerful force, using fear as a form of propaganda to control our actions. We are obsessed with images of fear and panic, and I believe the mass media is to blame.
nnDo you feel your Utah roots help or hinder your acceptance in the art world?
nnA lot of people look at Utah as a novelty right know because of Utah’s popularity in the commercial and entertainment world. I think if anything, being from Utah helps me.
nnListen to music while you paint?
nnMy favorite band is Clutch, but I love everything from John Denver to System of a Down. I have one Nirvana T-shirt from a concert in Ogden in 1992. When I was 15, Nirvana meant a lot to me.
nnAnyone can claim to be an artist. Does this bother you?
nnYou’re an artist if you believe you are. But artists aren’t more important or unique than anyone else. Being an artist is just another job.
nnIn one word, describe the difference between Salt Lake City and Los Angeles.
nnIntensity.