Biography

Recognized as one of the seminal artists of the New York East Village Scene of the 1980’s Stephen Lack continues to work and exhibit paintings worldwide. One of the original artists of the Gracie Mansion Gallery stable, Lack has had over 60 one man exhibitions in commercial galleries as well as Museums and public venues. Many significant collections , public and private, in the United States and internationally include The Rubell  Museum, Chase Manhattan Bank; The Tang Museum, to name a few. He is often considered a ‘difficult’ artist, not just for the provocative content of some of the work,, or because of the bold ‘in your face’ execution of the images, but for the scope of the work and its human considerations that make him a difficult artist to categorize. His longtime obsessions with the automobile led him to be invited to the Artist in Residence program at Ford Motor Company Design Dept.

Of one of his most recent posts, “A Few Clowns” Walter Robinson, artist and critic commented: “The guy can draw!”  Among other kudos; “The strength of Lack’s work depends on his ability to find the unexpected, ironic detail or gesture that can make us see familiar material in a new way.” Michael Brenson; NYTimes. 

“Lack locates disaster within the landscape of the recognizable and the ordinary” Christopher Hume; Toronto Star.

One of his early indie films with then partner Allan Moyle (“Times Square”; “Pump Up the Volume”), “The Rubber Gun” which debuted at the MOMA NY New Directors Series 1978 is scheduled for re-release in digital and Blu-ray worldwide early 2026. His work with David Cronenberg as the lead in “Scanners” and his presence in “Dead Ringers” imbeds him as a cultural icon. His award winning work with Jon Jost in “All the Vermeers in New York” for PBS American Playhouse.complements his ‘Indie’ status.

Lack lives and works in upstate NY and is represented in Canada by the Paul Petro Gallery in Toronto, and in the United States by Bill Arning Productions.

In 2023 Lack received the Acker Award for significant work from an East Village sensibility. Two books on his work have been published by Xeno-Optic press, “There is a War”; pen and ink drawings and “When Are You Coming Home”, paintings.