Deep Color

Ryan Travis Christian makes graphite drawings on paper that often depict invented cartoon characters immersed in a world of provocative activity and goofball scenarios. RTC talks about processing emotional and political turmoil through his art, making work that transcends scene, seeing a demon and homage as a way to keep ideas alive.

Butt Johnson makes highly rendered and labor intensive drawings. Butt talks about using a pseudonym as part of his artistic identity, his technical process and drafting system, patient execution as a form of peacefulness, looking for rigorousness in art, a love for sub-cultures, biology and gardening, and setting up his own parameters of challenge in art.

Tau Lewis makes sculptural work that often utilizes fabrics, industrial debris, plaster and found objects. Tau talks about her admiration for Souls Grown Deep, the history and memory of materials, identifying as a self-taught artist, black geographies, black imagination and black resourcefulness, childhood drawings of Michael Jackson, mermaids, healing and joyfulness through making.

Maia Ruth Lee makes paintings, sculpture, jewelry and video-based works. Maia talks about growing up in Nepal, being patient and flexible with her ideas, utilizing source material like vintage clip art books, art education and her role as the director of Wide Rainbow, how motherhood has helped her become a more relaxed artist and her recent solo show at Jack Hanley Gallery.

Ellie Rines is the founder and director of 56 Henry and co-director at Ceysson Bénétière’s New York location. Ellie talks about paintings as memory banks, the relationship between gallery and artist, slowing down the discussion of an artwork, shower stalls as storage spaces, her recipe for ideal studio visits and acting as a conduit for the artists she represents.

Sun You makes sculpture, installations and wall works that operate like paintings. Sun talks about carrying the language of painting into her three dimensional work, finding ways to interrupt her sensibility, the tonality and surprise in Korean film, moments of self-doubt as healthy, false proximities and keeping track of the potential of art.

Sean J. Patrick Carney is a visual and performance artist, writer, comedian and art educator. Sean talks about the similarities between comedians and visual artists, his love for teaching, cooking as a creative and meditative process, being a member of the Bruce High Quality Foundation, the fog of art speak, his Humor & The Abject podcast and comedy as a through-line in his work and life.

Jason Mclean is a multi-disciplinary artist but is primarily known for his elaborate and surreal drawings. Jason talks about his personal experience as content, drawing into the flaws of his materials, the obsession and rush of collecting, mental health and being diagnosed with schizophrenia, collaborating with his kids and the balance between art and life.

Kari Cholnoky makes multidimensional paintings and sculpture that collide assemblage, craft and readymade objects. Kari talks about the containment, control and examination in her paintings, sex toys as gesture, clashing rural and urban experiences, the challenge of beauty and chasing paintings in her sleep.

Ian Cooper makes sculpture that ranges from minimal and quiet to elaborate and heavy. Ian talks about reconciling materiality in his work, being a fetishistic maker, fluidity through parenting, songs that fade out and his new artistic identity as creative director at Monkey Paw Productions.