Art Bastard, Artist and subject Robert Cenedella

Art Bastard poster II 

Download MP3 Podcast | Open Player in New Window

In a madcap art world obsessed with money, fame and hype, how does an artist driven by justice, defiance and his own singular style thrive? ART BASTARD is the rousing tale of a rebel who never fit into today’s art world… yet has become one of its most provocative, rabble-rousing characters nevertheless. At once a portrait of the artist as a young troublemaker, an alternate history of modern art and a quintessential New York story, ART BASTARD is as energetic, humorous and unapologetically honest as the uncompromising man at its center: Robert Cenedella. Cenedella was a contemporary of Andy Warhol. But he has essentially served as the anti-Warhol. His noisy, raucous, color-splashed paintings of city scenes approach the world with a sincerity that defies the irony, frivolity and controversy-for-the-sake-of-controversy that have become the cultural currency since the 60s. In a fast-moving series of riveting interviews with family members, art critics, museum directors, New York power brokers, art students and Cenedella himself, director Victor Kanefsky candidly presents Cenedella’s personal journey – and reveals the creation of a modern art career that ignored all the modern art rules. What ART BASTARD shows, in stunning cinematic detail, are the living, breathing, storytelling canvases that Cenedella has created for six decades. The result is a visceral art documentary that also has the sweeping impact of a feature film – at once an investigation of a man’s identity, an inquiry into what art is and who it’s for and a feisty portrait of the ups and downs of a life lived on one’s own terms. The artist and subject of ART BASTARD, Robert Cenedella joins us for a spirit discussion of love, life and art.

For news and updates go to: artbastard.com

Opening Friday June 17 at the Laemmle Monica Theatre in Santa Monica

Artist Robert Cenedella and ART BASTARD executive producer Chris Concannon will participate in Q&A’s at the Monica Film Center following the 7:30 PM screenings on Friday and Saturday, June 17 and 18, as well as after the 2:30 and 5 o’clock screenings on Saturday the 18th.

*New York Times CRITIC’s PICK! “Robust documentary portrait of lifelong rebel and art-world gadfly.” –Stephen Holden, THE NEW YORK TIMES

Meet The NYC artist who crucified Santa Claus -by Barbara Hoffman, NEW YORK POST

“An intimate portrait of the iconoclastic artist Robert Cenedella… Socially conscious and often mordantly humorous, the paintings are wonderfully exhibited in this film which benefits from being seen on the big screen.” –Frank Scheck, THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

“THE BEST FILM ABOUT ART I HAVE SEEN… A scintillating, visually splendid look at the life and satirical work of socially conscious, talented and articulate art rebel Robert Cenedella. The art establishment should take a fresh look at Cenedella’s work, which certainly deserves a major, reflective New York exhibition at this point in time.” – William Wolf, wolfentertainmentguide.com

**Winner – Best Documentary – 2016 Manchester Film Festival**

**Winner- Best Documentary, Best Director – 2016 IDYLLWILD**

**Winner – Focus on Art Award – 2015 Orlando Film Festival**

**Winner – Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Creativity – 2015 Utopia Film Festival

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *