Skip to Content
Art

El Mac “Portrait of a Dying Cockroach” Video

We've featured a lot of LA-based artist El Mac's work through the years and one of the most common questions we get in the comments is "how does he do it"? Here's a time-lapse from last year's Art Basel which should give some insight into the process. From the artist's blog:

Here's a new timelapse video of a piece I painted for the Public Provocations show at the Carhartt Gallery held during the last Art Basel in Switzerland. This was painted with just spraypaint and fatcaps, no stencils or projectors, etc. As I explained in this earlier post, this was based on a photograph I took of a cockroach on the floor of the Margulies Collection when we painted their building during the last Miami Art Basel. It felt appropriate to then paint this during the Swiss Art Basel, alongside all the glamour and wealth. (Someone told me they don't have roaches in Switzerland)

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from L.A. TACO

Daily Memo: Over 20 Kidnapped by ICE and CBP, Including Another U.S. Citizen, Amid Escalating Southern California Raids

More than 30 people were confirmed to have been detained in the last couple of days, including 3 U.S. citizens.

December 4, 2025

Border Patrol Detains Three at La Puente Chilaquiles Stand Before Seizing Its Cash Box

A screaming woman in an apron was seen running from the stand into the safety of a nearby firetruck, while the stand's other employees weren't so lucky.

Daily Memo: Feds Detain U.S. Citizens and Take Street Vendor’s Cash Box

Federal immigration raids are escalating in intensity, with more people being profiled and taken without due process.

L.A. City Council Rejects Proposal To Limit LAPD’s Use of Tear Gas and ’40mm Foam Launchers’

Prior to June 8, the LAPD had not used tear gas in crowd-control settings in almost 50 years, an LAPD spokesperson told L.A. TACO.

December 3, 2025

Update: Border Patrol Agents Raid Huntington Park Home Depot, As Fleeing Man Is Struck By Vehicle

“I denounce the Trump Domestic Terrorism Campaign that continues to target law-abiding residents in Huntington Park and across the nation,” said Huntington Park Mayor Arturo Flores. “I have faith that those who choose to violate human rights and constitutional rights will be held accountable for their crimes. Not to mince words . . . FUCK TRUMP and FUCK ICE.”

December 3, 2025

Daily Memo: Border Patrol Is Back, Targeting Southeast Los Angeles and Ripping Parents From Their Children

Border Patrol Is Back after their week-long hiatus, targeting Southeast Los Angeles and other areas, ripping parents from children, chasing workers and almost killing one, arresting a U.S. citizen, and targeting street vendors again.

See all posts