Today we’d like to introduce you to Evan Senn.
Evan, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Raised in West L.A. by artistic parents, I was always immersed in the art scenes. Whether it was visual art, performing art, musical or otherwise, I wanted to be a part of it. I am enamored with artistic expression, and grew to have a gift in helping other people become enamored with it as well. My role as an adult in the Southern California art scene is as a translator, I think. I fall in love multiple times a week, with art–old or new–and I have a fondness and talent for sharing my love with others, helping them to see and appreciate the amazing artistic gifts that I see.
After graduate school and six plus years in publishing, I now am an art history and visual studies instructor, at local colleges in OC and LA. I write a ton on the side, and I curate art exhibitions from time to time. I get to do everything I love, and help others to see the beauty in the world around us as well. I feel incredibly lucky to be able to live this life.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a writer, first and foremost. But, having got my start as a visual artist, my passion for creative expression is unending and very versatile. I write about art, art theory, art as therapy, art as salvation, and art as communication. I lecture about art theory, art history and the anthropological importance of art to study humanity as a whole. I find that there is no better way to understand ourselves than to look to our most honest and heartfelt expressions. While my interests are expansive, I love being able to ground myself in art theory and history. I have specific love for the work of Clement Greenberg and his views on aesthetics, taste and criticism; Immanuel Kant’s critiques, and Rosalind Krauss’ research in different theoretical approaches to different art movements and her writing about the historical art movements that changed our world. These individuals’ contributions are a never-ending pool of inspiration and will continue to provide tools for discovering truth and beauty in my life and in the art that I see. I hope that my work and my fascination of dissecting, digesting and understanding the ways that we, as human beings in this specific day and age, may help others understand and embrace how art affects and shapes us as individuals and as larger cultures.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think the biggest challenge facing artists today is sustainability. Art takes time and money and in this expensive Southern California area, life can oftentimes be too expensive to also support an artful life. I know plenty of artists who have had to move out of SoCal to support themselves, but then we lose an amazing artist (or many) in our community, which is not great.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
People can see my work in print magazines and online magazines, or they can follow my website or blogspot to see my favorite articles and essays. I participate in panels from time-to-time, exhibition catalogues, and even in exhibitions. I also post my work on my social media accounts if people are really interested. However, the biggest way to support my work, is by supporting the institutions that support me. Read the magazines, visit the art shows, buy the artwork from the artists and galleries in L.A. and O.C. That supports my whole cause and through that, it supports my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.evansenn.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: senntastic
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/evan.senn
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/EvanASenn
Image Credit:
Life of a Female Artist photographer was Riley Kern, artist standing next to me is Ingrid Reeve. Images of me standing next to other women, are both from exhibitions I curated; one with me and one other woman (Robin Johnson) was from my exhibition “Fleshed Out”; one with me and three other women (from left: Sydney Walter, Evan Senn, Jennifer King and Andrea Gillanders) is from “Young and Restless”.
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
