Today we’d like to introduce you to Kent Anderson Butler.
Kent, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up in Northern California and my first artistic creative experience was with my grandfather when I was a child. He taught me the craft of stained glass art. I was fascinated with all the amazing colors the glass gave off when the sun illuminated it. I also used to spend a lot of my childhood at the kitchen table drawing. These two experiences lead me to wanting to be an artist at an early age. I moved down to Southern California to study art at Biola University. While I was studying there, for the first time, I walked into The Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and that experience changed my perception of how art can be a catalyst to evoke emotion and change the world. While an undergraduate student, I started out as a graphic design major like most freshmen, but eventually went down the studio art path and fell in love working with video/film, photography, and performance as artistic mediums that gave my artistic works a voice.
After receiving my undergraduate degree, I wanted to further my education, so I went to California State University, Fullerton. While there, my committee chair, Eileen Cowin supported me, challenged me, and pushed me to create the best work possible. Through her mentorship, I began to really understand what it means to integrate one’s ideas and worldview into the art that I was making and allow the work to have a voice for my audience. Since graduate school, I have developed a professional career as an artist that spans beyond Los Angeles and for the last 20 years, I have had the amazing job as an educator in higher education. Working as an educator allows me to create the art that I really want to create, and not be so bounded by the commercial art world. But I also love teaching. It is an integral part of my life and I love sharing the story of art with others. I have been truly blessed to live the life I have and I look forward to all my future endeavors.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As an artist and art educator, my journey thus far has been challenged, rewarding and blessed. There have been many bumps and thorns along the way. But, having those struggles has made me a better person and I have grown from those experiences in a positive way.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a visual artist working in a variety of mediums including video installation, performance and photography and have participated in solo and group exhibitions. A few locations include Coagula Curatorial, Art Center College of Design, California Museum of Photography and Los Angeles Center for Digital Art. Right now, I am working on new work for a solo exhibition coming up in November at The Westmont Ridley-Tree Museum of Art. My current research in conjunction with the exhibition is rooted in the exploration of the “human condition”, the “body” and the “spirit” with a deeper integration of how the weaving of the “sacred”, the “environment” and the “body” connect with the current contemporary cultural climate. I have always been fascinated with the symbolism and use of metaphor which is used in Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and in the biblical narrative of Jonah and the Whale and this exhibition focuses on the relationship between these two narratives and how both of them serve as reflections of tension, turmoil, grace and hope, that carry us as individuals and as a culture/society through the journey we are all on.
The thing that I am most proud about with my work as an artist is seeing the art that I create have a voice and impact on individuals.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I am a very personable individual and To me, my greatest achievements as an artist and professor have been built up by having meaningful relationships with others. I also have a strong work ethic and I have learned a lot by listening more to others. These things have really been the backbone of my success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kentandersonbutler.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kent.a.butler.7
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/kentandersonbutler
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