Interview

Mar 17

Max Dalglish

Born and raised in the heart of New York, a true Bowery boy, Max Dalglish comes from a lineage of artists and creatives. Resilience runs through his veins - he’s endured and conquered three back surgeries, each one reinforcing his drive to keep moving forward. His work spans film, fashion, and photography, but defining himself by just one craft would be impossible. Max is an actor, a singer, an artist - someone who thrives in the space where disciplines collide. A natural-born multitasker, he embraces every passion that calls to him. Life has introduced him to legends, greats who have crossed his path and become part of his story. But nothing defines Max more than being a father to the most incredible daughter in the world. He is a lover of love, time, and the kind of colognes that leave a lasting impression. He collects the simple things, the ones that bring the most joy, because in the end, it’s the little details that make life extraordinary.

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“I was born and raised in New York. My father was a successful abstract artist. My mother was an accomplished artist and creative director and photographer. Both sides of the family are all artists in one form or another. I’ve been painting with my father since a little boy. My childhood was influenced by many greats. My father told me tales of Basquiat and Harring hanging out in my loft. Klaus Nomi and my father wrote music together. And I grew up with the children of talking heads, Gus van Sant was a regular visitor at my father’s studios. Many celebrities and people of culture stopped by. I just didn’t know how much to appreciate it until I was older. As usual when I look back on my past, I live for the moment and care less about titles. I gravitate towards authenticity and character. I jumped back into painting during the quarantine with a vigor.”

What inspires you?

“I’m inspired by many things. Family. My daughter and the joy she brings me by living. The Bowery, NYC in general is my number one art store. It’s always free but somehow this city lets me pick up things that was thrown away and I get to turn them into my treasures. Transforming nothing into something worth millions. My number one inspiration is love. The joy, sadness, grief, passion, pain and all the things in between that make love worth fighting for. To heal from the scars on our hearts or the sorrow for those hearts we’ve hurt along the way. It’s all a part of the journey and I love many. And wish that those looking for love realize it’s always with them. To look within the darkness and see the light. The extraordinary in the ordinary. The beauty of the cracks and flaws that make us all unique treasure to hold and cherish.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“I like to use many themes. Love, time, pain, and joy. I like to pay homage to the greats by invoking spirits of those artists that have passed to show respect. But my own style has adapted and grown. The patina of time touching the paint to showcase what normally is scrubbed or polished away. My newest theme is based upon the Japanese ‘kintsugi’ art form. To highlight the broken pieces that are put back together that showcases how something ordinary and broken, can be mended and turned into something that’s one of a kind and beautiful. Those flaws we see in the mirror are the very things people see that are priceless and one of a kind. If only we can view ourselves as people view us. We would be happier and realize how amazing we truly are when we stand in our flaws and shine them for the world to see with pride.”

How would you describe your work?

“My work changes from piece to piece usually. I have an idea, and then I work on it. Letting the flow state take me to the end of a journey until I’m done. A tale told by the universe itself. I am but the tool and brush that a higher power uses to create something beautiful and one of a kind. I like textures, and bringing a two dimensional surface and bringing it to the 3D. If I could figure out how to make a 4D piece of art, I would love that. I’d love for my pieces to be interactive and one day I’ll surprise you all with that. I may even surprise myself one day.”

Which artists influence you most?

“Jackson Pollack, Banksy, Van Gogh, my father Jamie Dalglish, my mother Susan Shoenfarber and my family members. There are many artists throughout time and I love how Instagram makes that possible. So many talented artists creating and showing the world their work without any fear. To inspire and create is our gift to the world. For collectors to fall in love with art that brings tears to their eyes and flutters to their hearts.”

“My number one inspiration is love. The joy, sadness, grief, passion, pain and all the things in between that make love worth fighting for.”

What is your creative process like?

“I let the work do it itself. I have the idea. Save for materials. And create little by little. Sometimes, I work on one piece for years. Sometimes, I’m able to work on 3-5 pieces at once and can finish them in about a week. It’s all about what I’m aiming for. And where the paint takes me. I usually chain smoke cigarettes and play old rock, punk, and recently I’ve been addicted to Ariana Grande. Her voice is angelic and beautiful beyond what I can explain. There’s a few songs that make me feel connected to my creativity more than I can say.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“The artist’s role is to create and live life to give to the world. But the world needs to support the artist. Would you make Ronaldo work as a carpenter? No, he’s a master of the art of football (soccer). It would be a shame if someone with talent was made to do anything else they didn’t love. The world should see the love and pain the artist lives to create. And support so that they could keep creating the world into a better place.”