“The way he saw it, living taught you
that you didn’t have to live the way you’d been taught to live. You came from one place but more important was where you decided to go.”
-Colson Whitehead, Harlem Shuffle
Who were you told to be? For most of us, even if it was subtle, our upbringings defined the person we were expected to become. And while this may be OK for some people, there are many who prefer to choose their own adventure, if you will, to determine how they live their life rather than go along with expectations. Artists often tell a tale of bucking expectations. The life of an artist is not one that a
lot of parents imagine for their children. Many artists come to their professional practice after decades of another career, one that appeased family expectations.
Diane Burko joined us to talk about Bearing Witness, her show that ran until March 8 at Cristin Tierney Gallery. The title refers to the activist approach of bearing witness to the earth and the effects of climate change that have taken place in our current Anthropocene epoch. Burko started out as a landscape painter, but feeling she needed to do more, she began doing extensive
research on the ravages of climate change, including visits to places like the arctic and Antarctic that have been ravaged by the greed that leads to climate destruction. To learn more, listen to the complete interview.
Violeta Maya chatted with us about Me atrevo a decir que esta pintura está viva, her first solo show in New York, which ran until February 15 at Nicelle Beauchene Gallery. The title of this show translates to “I dare say this painting is alive.” Maya explained that this refers to a part of her process. The former occur when she gives in to
the work, having fun and working with abandon. Conversely, when she works under pressure or with fear, the paintings often look dead. To hear more, listen to the complete interview.
