I paint with oil on canvas. My colors are saturated and bright, some have called them psychedelic, others think that they are very Latino, and others refer to my pallet as Fauvist. I agree. My paint application is smooth at times, and thick and visceral at others. Formally, I am interested in creating compositions involving the “interior room” with symbolic elements filling the space. The symbolic elements create open-ended narratives for the viewers, but also create a personal narrative for me.
My personal narrative is idiosyncratic and complex, but if there is a star, it is Wilt. He is a character that egotistically plays god. Within the confines of his studio, he creates art that strives to be pure and optimistic, but at best, ends up reflecting his fears and insecurities, and at worst, mocks God, faith and hope. He does so with a strong belief in Humanism, and an even stronger disbelief in humans, and an unbelievable amount of self-doubt.
– Walpa D’Mark, 2013
Walpa D’Mark was born in Managua, Nicaragua, 1977. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, California. D’Mark received his Master of Fine Arts from Claremont Graduate University and his Bachelor of Fine Arts from California State University, Long Beach. His work has been exhibited in Germany, Mexico and South Korea as well as extensively in the Los Angeles area with his most recent solo exhibition being – ‘New Work,’ Coagula Curatorial, Los Angeles, CA.