the artist

Dufala Brothers

Dufala Brothers

Philadelphia, PA

Dufala Brothers

http://www.dufalabrothers.com

Employing heating, ventilation and air conditioning ductwork, brothers Billy and Steven have created a text work announcing the assumed function of this type of air handling system.

Referencing the scale and style of large scale graffiti lettering, this work is functionally inept: it is a fake, and provides no air, instead speculating on the limits of the conspicuous infrastructure we create to regulate our comfort.

Gallery Photo Credit: Jeffrey Stockbridge

Fast Facts

Name: Steven Dufala and William "Billy" Dufala

Website: dufalabrothers.com

Place of Birth: New Jersey

Education:
Steven Dufala – 2000 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate, Printmaking
Billy Dufala – 2003 Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Certificate, Sculpture 

Significant or special training:
Both Steven and Billy have a wide variety of experience spanning many areas of focus. Currently, Billy is the Director of Artist Residencies at RAIR (Recycled Artist In Residency) which is an arts and industry collaboration. In this position, Billy is in contact with many different aspects of the waste industry and has received training that allows him to operate all equipment on site including the operating of front end loaders, roll-off trucks and excavators. Steven currently is doing artistic installation and set design for theater. He has been working with a small creative team in the production of new theater work. The brothers both have significant experience in the areas of design and performance.

Particular field of study or class work:
Steven studied film/animation and printmaking as a student. Billy studied sculpture. Both graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Major influences/admired artists:
Much of the brothers influences do not come directly from the Fine Art world. Everything from tinknocker union contractors, old looney tune cartoons, fashion design to product design, the built environment to the demolition of neighborhoods in current times. Their work responds more to the many, many different aspects to life that are experienced by everyone everyday, and how to reimagine, or re-investigate these commonplace things/ideas/activities through their own creative lens.

Favorite materials or media:
Just about anything

Gallery Representation (when Convention Center acquired artwork):
Fleisher-Ollman Gallery

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