Brian Booth Craig (b. 1968; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) is a contemporary American representational sculptor. Sculpting from life and imagination, Brian’s work translates traditional techniques into depictions of contemporary human presence, capturing moments of individual self-assertion. Through ambiguous actions, surprising talismans, and subtle gestures, Brian endeavors to reveal the subjectivity of narrative perspective.
Brian holds a B.A. from the Pennsylvania State University and an MFA from the New York Academy of Art. For ten years he was the apprentice and studio assistant of the painter and sculptor Audrey Flack. Brian is represented by Louis K Meisel Gallery in New York City.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- Brian’s start in sculpture
- Intellectual pursuits
- Economic fears of being an artist
- The internal, external, and emotional narrative to art
- Creating something unique vs. creating something that “fits” within a craft
- Representing the body and human nature through sculpture
- Philosophy and psychology in art
- “Evidence is the means of making”
- Materials not being neutral
- Being addicted to the process
- Childhood
- New techniques being advancements
- Agency of the subject and the male gaze
- Plant medicine
Vanessa Prager (b. 1984) is an American artist, born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. Known mainly for her large-scale, abstract oil paintings, Prager‘s main subject is the female figure. Thick, loose, heavily impastoed bodies melt in and out of their form, and what we consider beauty and identity is often a central theme to her work.
Prager has had solo shows at The Hole, New York; Richard Heller, Los Angeles; and Kristin Hjellegjerde, Berlin and London; and group shows in Los Angeles with Over The Influence; M+B; and Diane Rosenstein Gallery.
Vanessa’s latest solo show, “Static” shows at the Diane Rosenstein Gallery from February 20th to April 10th, 2021
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- Emotions felt through the COVID-19 lockdown
- Processing emotions
- Painting what one sees
- Understanding one’s reality
- Motherhood
- Vanessa’s upbringing
- The depiction of woman within a patriarchal society
- Breaking away from stigmas
- Recognizing patterns in life
Raymond Lee was a series regular in Alan Ball’s HBO series, “Here and Now” opposite Tim Robbins and Holly Hunter. He has recurring roles on “Prodigal Son”, “Mozart in the Jungle”, and Scandal. Theater credits include the world premiere productions of “Vietgone at Manhattan Theater Club”, which he was awarded the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Debut, “Office Hour” opposite Sandra Oh at South Coast Repertory, and “Cambodian Rock Band” also at South Coast Repertory. He will be next seen in the PARAMOUNT feature film “Top Gun: Maverick opposite Tom Cruise, Jon Hamm, Miles Teller and Jennifer Connelly and as a series regular in upcoming the AMC series “Kevin Can F*ck Himself”. Raymond resides in Los Angeles, CA.
Topics Discussed In This Episode:
- The subject and absurdity of death
- Speaking openly about death
- The origins of “Raspberry”
- Being emotionally available towards inspiration
- The creative process behind character creation
- Yoshino’s personal approach to photography and inspiration
- Processing death and dealing with loss
- Reactions to “Raspberry”
- The tone of the film
- Subtle nuances of expression
- The differences between Eastern and Western thoughts
- Julian and Raymond’s collaborative relationship
- Creatively pushing yourself and others
- Asian men within the arts and film
- Advice to artists and creatives