News Interview with Artist Cal Schenkel

People want to be recognized on their own terms. But there are times when your success is more closely associated with something or someone else. When it comes to the work of Frank Zappa, it’s hard to think about anyone but Zappa as being responsible because his personality loomed so large. But artist Cal Schenkel isn’t worried about being defined only in terms of his association with Zappa.

“I mean, it has its pros and cons, you know,” says Schenkel. He created the album art for a long list of Zappa records-- Uncle Meat, The Grand Wazoo, Burnt Weeny Sandwich, Hot Rats, to name just a few. “It’s certainly gotten me a lot of recognition and also connections all over the world, really…I think my work speaks for itself, both the work I did then and the work I’m doing now.”

CHIRP’s Dan Epstein talked with Cal Schenkel at Firecat Projects Gallery in Bucktown where Schenkel’s work, both past and present, is on display until August 17^th.

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