A documentary film by Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty
Music written and performed on The Machine by Llyn Foulkes
Llyn Foulkes One Man Band is a seven year exploration of the maverick artist as he creates and destroys paintings while trying to stay afloat in the fickle art market. Foulkes' uncompromising career includes getting kicked out of the legendary Ferus Gallery and abandoning success as a Pop artist, only to be rediscovered by the international art world at age 77. An intimate portrait of what it means to be a career artist — with Dennis Hopper, Johnny Carson and contemporary art veterans.
A queasy thriller... undeniably fascinating to watch
- Variety Read more
Shines a light on the method and madness of one of the best living American artists today.
- Ali Subotnick, Hammer Museum Curator
Entertainingly introspective... An engaging tribute to an artist who has stayed true to himself... Foulkes is a joy to watch.
- The Hollywood Reporter Read more
Something rarely captured: the relentless, uncompromising attention to detail required to create a masterpiece.
- Raphael Rubinstein, former Senior Editor, Art in America
A fascinating glimpse into the artistic process
- Cecile Whithing, Art History Professor, UC Irvine
Provocative and wildly entertaining. The engaging doc 'Llyn Foulkes One Man Band' profiles the fascinating life and work of a true rebel of the art world.
- MSN.com
A quality look into the life and art of a tremendous artistic mind.
- FILMTHREAT Read more
Poignant and informed. Like his art, the fascinating “Llyn Foulkes One Man Band” intimately shows the many layers that make up this talented artist.
- Yahoo Film
View additional clips.
About the film
This feature documentary follows the internationally acclaimed painter and musician Llyn Foulkes from age 70 to 77, as he struggles to be acknowledged for his lifetime achievement. During the seven years chronicled in the film, Foulkes creates, destroys, and recreates a pair of large-scale, three dimensional paintings, one that costs him his marriage, all while trying to keep a toe-hold in the art market. With commentary by Dennis Hopper and George Herms, and footage of an appearance on the Johnny Carson show, it's revealed how Foulkes avoided "selling his soul", in an uncompromising, up-and-down career, that spanned over fifty years. The film concludes with his rediscovery by the international art world at the age of 77.
Llyn Foulkes One Man Band is ideal for students, faculty, artists, art industry and art appreciators. A maverick of California's contemporary art scene of the early 1960s, Foulkes along with peers Ed Ruscha, Robert Irwin, and Ed Moses, became an early Ferus Gallery member, only to travel a much longer road to celebrity. Along with DVD purchase, the soundtrack and film poster are also available, as well as screenings with appearances by Llyn Foulkes and/or director Tamar Halpern, depending on schedule. For further information, contact us or see the purchase page. Institutional purchase of this film includes all performance rights.
A Digital Screener is available for purchase for Museums, Universities, and Public Libraries! Click Here!
Read more about Llyn Foulkes and the filmmakers.
Past Screenings
Llyn Foulkes One Man Band is available for screening in institutional, theatrical, and community venues. Depending on schedule and availability, both Foulkes and directors Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty are available for Q and A presentations after the film, either in person or via Skype. For further information or to book a screening, contact us for further information.
- Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, March 22, 2015
- The New Parkway Theater, Oakland, CA April 28th, 2015
- South Pasadena Library, April 30th, 2015, 7 pm
- Strand Theater, Rockland in conjunction with the Farnsworth Art Museum, Maine,
May 1st, 2015 - LOS ANGELES COUNTRY MUSEUM OF ART Monday, March 2nd, 2015, 7pm,
Q and A to follow with Llyn Foulkes - LOS ANGELES Wednesday, February 11th, 2015, 7pm, USC Visions and Voices Series, USC Cinema/TV school, SCA room 108
Q and A to follow with Llyn Foulkes - ST. LOUIS, MO Webster University Film Series, February 6 - 7, 2015 at the Winifred Moore Auditorium
- AUSTIN FILM SOCIETY Marchesa, 6226 Middle Fiskville Road, Wednesday, January 14th, 2015, 7:30 pm
Q and A to follow with Llyn Foulkes, via Skype - TAOS, NEW MEXICO The Harwood Museum of Art, Friday November 7, 2014 at 7pm, Saturday November 8 at 2pm
- WATERLOO, ONTARIO, CANADA Princess Cinemas October 20, 2014, 7pm
- PORTLAND Clinton Street Theater, October 16,17,18, 2014
- UC BERKELEY October 14, 2014 7pm, presented by Berkeley Film Friends on the UC campus, Barrows Hall, room 174
Q and A to follow with Director Tamar Halpern - SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco Art Institute October 13, 2014
Q and A reception to follow with Llyn Foulkes and Director Tamar Halpern - LOS ANGELES Rio Hondo College, 7:00pm September 25, 2014
Q and A reception to follow with Llyn Foulkes - GLEN ELLEN, CA, Wine Country Film Festival, Saturday, September 20th, 2014, Dunbar School 12:30pm
- SAN DIEGO Digital Gym / Media Arts Center, 2921 El Cajon Blvd, Friday September 17, 2014, 7pm
- TUCSON Louise Marshall Building, 845 N Park Ave, 2nd Floor, Monday, September 15 at 7:30pm
Q and A to follow with Director Tamar Halpern - BROOKLYN Nitehawk Cinema, Tuesday Sept 9,2014 / 7pm Saturday Sept 13 and Sunday Sept 14, noon
- SEATTLE Northwest Film Forum, 1515 12th Ave, August 1-7, 2014
- SAN FRANCISCO Roxie Theater, 3117 16th Ave, July 18 - 24, 2014
- OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahoma City Museum of Art, July 3, 2014
- NEW BRUNSWICK (NJ) Rutgers Film Co-op and the New Jersey International Film Festival, Sunday June 8, 2014, 7 pm
- SANTA FE Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail, June 7 - 12, 2014, 5pm
- LONG BEACH ISLAND (NJ) Lighthouse International Film Festival, June 5 - 8, 2014
- LOS ANGELES Downtown Independent
Theater, 251 S. Main St.
FRIDAY 6/6/14: 5:00PM, 6:45PM
SATURDAY 6/7/14: 7:45PM
SUNDAY 6/8/14: 8:15PM Q and A after
TUESDAY 6/10/14: 7:15PM Q and A after
WEDNESDAY 6/11/14: 2:45PM
THURSDAY 6/12/14: 5:00PM May 30 - June 5
Q and A with the filmmakers TBA - PALM SPRINGS Palm Springs Museum of Art May 21st, 2014 6pm
Q and A with Llyn Foulkes and filmmakers Tamar Halpern - LOS ANGELES - North Hollywood Laemmle's NoHo, Saturday May 17 at 11 am, Sunday May 18, 2014 at 11am, Wednesday, May 21, 7:30pm
Q and A with Llyn Foulkes and filmmakers Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty. Sunday May 18 after the 11am screening - LOS ANGELES - Pasadena Laemmle's Playhouse, Saturday May 17, 2014 at 11 am, Sunday May 18, 2014 at 11am, Monday, May 19, 2014 7:30pm
Q and A with Llyn Foulkes and filmmakers Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty. Monday, May 19, 2014 after the 7:30pm screening - LOS ANGELES - Beverly Hills Laemmle's Music Hall, May 16-22 2014, five shows daily at
12:40 pm, 3:00 pm, 5:20 pm, 7:40 pm, 10:00 pm
Q and A with Llyn Foulkes and filmmakers Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty. Friday, Saturday May 16, after the 7:40pm screening and Saturday May 17, after the 7:40pm screening - NEW YORK CITY Film Forum, May 7-13, 2014
Q and A with filmmakers Tamar Halpern and Chris Quilty. May 7th and May 10th, 6:20pm screenings - BEACON (NY) Beacon Film Society, April 29, 2014
- TUCSON The Loft, April 24, 2014
- LAGUNA BEACH Laguna Beach Museum of Art, January 16, 2014
- PHOENIX Phoenix Museum of Art, January 15, 2014
Llyn Foulkes One Man Band soundtrack now available!
All songs written and performed on The Machine by Llyn Foulkes.
Click here for a listen.
- The Dissolve
Contact Us
For more information or to join the mailing list, please email llynfoulkesfilm@gmail.com.
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