Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathaniel Ancheta.
Hi Nathaniel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My story is woven from the rich tapestry of life’s contrasts and the pursuit of artistic identity, starting from the small, desert-bound city of Quartz Hill in Antelope Valley, CA. This tranquil backdrop, far removed from the bustling creativity of Los Angeles, was where my story took root. Creativity was an alien concept in my early years, overshadowed by routine activities like golf, shopping malls, and a structured, almost ritualistic daily routine involving waking up to Beethoven as my alarm clock, saying an affirmation in the mirror, and introspective cloud gazing accompanied by the philosophical musings of Deepak Chopra. Little did I know, these seemingly mundane and albeit resented aspects of my childhood were laying the groundwork for my creative journey.
My artistic inclinations didn’t initially veer towards the imaginative or fantastical. Instead, I was captivated by architecture’s promise of turning visions into tangible realities, its grandeur, and its ability to shape environments. This fascination was paralleled by a gravitation towards graphic design, a path influenced by my cultural background and the practical mindset fostered by my Filipino family and the conservative ethos of my hometown.
Despite this practical approach, a rebellious streak ran through me. I was always keen to challenge others’ perceptions and break free from expectations. It became clear that my thirst for something more couldn’t be quenched in Quartz Hill. This realization propelled me to San Francisco, a city that promised new horizons and marked the beginning of my true artistic odyssey. My initial college choice was driven by a desire to pursue golf, but fate had other plans, steering me towards the arts, albeit somewhat reluctantly. The limitations of my chosen institution’s program offerings nudged me away from architecture and design and towards fine art, a pivotal redirection that would shape my career.
My undergraduate years were a balancing act between art and design, culminating in a thesis that melded both disciplines. This project earned me a spot at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research, a high note that would soon be met with the sobering challenges of post-graduation life. My subsequent move to Los Angeles and the decision to pursue graduate studies were driven by a search for inspiration and a way out of a creative rut. “The Brick,” a dilapidated warehouse in Downtown LA turned artist haven, became the backdrop for this tumultuous chapter, filled with memorable, albeit not always lawful, adventures.
My initial rejection from the media design graduate program at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena was a humbling setback, but it redirected me towards the fine art graduate program, where I was accepted. Graduate school was a trial by fire, marked by self-doubt, a sense of alienation, and an ongoing struggle to find my voice amidst a sea of more experienced peers. The opportunity to study in Paris was a lifeline, offering a respite from these challenges. I can’t say I learned a lot about art or even art history, as surprising as that might sound, but rather I learned a lot about myself through a variety of experiences. It did mark a pivotal shift in my creative process, turning my gaze towards the intricate dance of habit, routine, infrastructure, and interaction. However, returning to Art Center, I found myself grappling with the same issues as before.
Post-graduation, I oscillated between art and design, eventually climbing the corporate ladder to become an Art Director. Yet, this success felt hollow, driving me to a low point from which I sought a sense of “home” and grounding. This quest led me back to my hometown and, eventually, to a piece of property near the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve that rekindled my connection to my roots and ignited a rebirth in my artistic practice.
In this renewed phase, I embraced public art as the perfect amalgamation of my interests in art, architecture, and design. My work now navigates the interstitial spaces of dichotomies, seeking to engage the individual and the community in a dialogue with their environment. A research-based practice deeply rooted in themes of identity, self, representation, and connection to place, I re-frame the current practice between human and nature as a journey of self-discovery mirrored through our relationship with the environment, highlighting how personal and collective identities are shaped by and intertwined with the natural world. This evolution of my practice culminated in the co-founding of Art In Residence with close friends and fellow artists, a venture that extends my artistic exploration into the community, harnessing the transformative power of public art to inspire and educate.
My story is one of internal evolution, a continuous reshaping of my artistic identity influenced by the places I’ve called home and the challenges I’ve faced. From the structured confines of my Lancaster childhood to the liberating streets of Paris, and back to the familiar yet changed landscapes of Antelope Valley, my story is one of growth, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of creative expression.
Today, I balance my roles as an artist and designer, specializing in branding at an agency in Glendale. Alongside my professional work, I remain deeply engaged in my research-based artistic practice. My commitment to community and public art thrives through my ongoing involvement with Art In Residence. Expanding my creative outreach, I’ve also launched Art Memo magazine, a vital extension of Art In Residence, dedicated to making art writing more accessible to those outside the traditional art world, with a focus on simplifying and demystifying art discourse.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road has been anything but smooth for me. My path through art and self-expression has been strewn with challenges that have tested my resilience and determination to their very limits. Growing up in an environment defined by its conservative values and a cultural emphasis on practicality, creativity was more of a regimented exercise than a free-spirited exploration for me. Breaking away from these confines to follow a less conventional path was the first of many battles in my quest to carve out my artistic identity.
The trials I’ve faced have been unrelenting, extending far beyond the initial struggles against the traditional expectations of my upbringing to encompass the brutal realities of making a living in the art world. The life of an artist, often idealized in popular imagination, is, as I came to find out, fraught with financial instability, professional uncertainty, and the constant pressure to innovate and stay relevant. At times, these pressures have pushed me to the edge, making me question the essence of my pursuit and the myriad sacrifices it has demanded.
One particularly dark chapter unfolded shortly after I returned to my hometown following the completion of graduate school. What was intended as a homecoming, a return to familiar roots that I hoped would ground me, instead felt like sinking into quicksand. Every effort to build something meaningful seemed to be swallowed up by an overwhelming tide of setbacks and disillusionment. The sense of failure that haunted me after grad school compounded by the daunting task of re-establishing my artistic practice in a place that felt isolated from any supportive art community, led to a profound sense of defeat.
It was during this period that the accumulated weight of years of struggle, the craving for professional validation, and a deep sense of alienation converged, driving me into a personal crisis of profound depth. The feeling of failure was all-consuming, casting a long shadow over the passion and drive that once fueled my creative endeavors. I found myself grappling with thoughts of giving up entirely, questioning whether the pursuit of art, with its lofty ideals and harsh realities, was an insurmountable challenge.
Yet, in the depths of this despair, there remained a spark of resilience. This resilience, built up over years of defying convention and celebrating small victories over self-doubt, along with an unwavering belief in the transformative power of art, kept the darkness at bay. This period of turmoil, as harrowing as it was, became a turning point, compelling me to reevaluate my relationship with art, what I define as success, and the essence of personal well-being.
Choosing to continue was not marked by a sudden revelation but was a gradual recognition of the integral role art plays in my life. Clawing my way back from the brink involved embracing my vulnerabilities and reconnecting with the core of my creativity that transcends external approval and societal definitions of success. It was a reaffirmation that my pursuit of art, despite the trials it brings, is intrinsically tied to the pursuit of an authentic life, one filled with challenges but also brimming with opportunities for growth, discovery, and deep personal satisfaction.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
This is a hard question to answer as my journey has extended beyond the confines of a conventional studio-based practice to embrace a multifaceted practice. The inception of Art In Residence, coupled with my role as a brand specialist, has enriched my skill set, making it distinctively broad and adaptable. My contributions, particularly in the realms of installations and exhibitions both created and co-curated through Art In Residence, stand as pivotal highlights of my career up to this point.
My work has always been driven by a passion for exploration and expression rather than a conscious effort to distinguish myself from others. The diversity of my engagements—from spearheading public art projects and navigating the corporate landscape as a brand specialist—reflects a holistic approach to creativity. This approach is not bound by medium or methodology but is propelled by an insatiable curiosity and a desire to engage with art in its myriad forms.
Within my work, I adopt a research-based practice that spans across multiple domains, including studio creations, public installations, educational endeavors, literary contributions, curatorial projects, and community-centric activities. My thematic exploration pivots around notions of identity, self-awareness, representation, and a profound sense of place. I aim to shift the narrative surrounding human-nature interactions, envisioning it as an introspective voyage that mirrors our bond with the natural environment. This inquiry not only underscores the symbiosis between our personal and collective identities and the natural realm but also fosters a deeper understanding of this interconnection.
What perhaps sets me apart is this very reluctance to compartmentalize my practice or define it within the narrow parameters of what sets me apart from others. My focus is not on differentiation for its own sake but on the pursuit of what genuinely excites and inspires me. This pursuit has led me to explore the intersections of art, design, community, and technology, resulting in a body of work that defies easy categorization but is unified by a consistent thread of inquiry and engagement.
In essence, it’s the breadth of my practice and the depth of my commitment to exploring new avenues of artistic expression that define my work. Whether it’s through the physical transformation of spaces with installations or the strategic creativity of branding, each facet of my work contributes to a larger narrative of exploration and connection. It’s this ongoing journey of discovery and the relentless pursuit of my highest excitement that continue to drive me forward, shaping a path that is uniquely my own.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One memory that I will always remember as a kid was with my dad at the Lake Elizabeth golf course. It remains vividly etched in my mind, a serene tableau from my childhood that, surprisingly, wasn’t about art at all but golf. I even remember the club I was hitting a Titleist Howitzer.
It was an evening like no other, with the sun casting its final golden rays over the range, painting everything with the warm glow of dusk. The world seemed to stand still in that moment, enveloped in a tranquil silence, save for the howling sound of golf balls being launched into the fading light. We were alone there, just my dad and I, wrapped in a cocoon of shared focus and simple joy, completely absorbed in the act of hitting ball after ball into the distance.
There was something profoundly peaceful about that evening, a sense of timelessness and complete immersion in the present. The outside world, with its demands and distractions, melted away, leaving only the rhythmic swing of our clubs and the flight of the balls through the cool air. I remember feeling an unspoken bond with my dad, a connection forged not through words but through shared experience, a mutual appreciation for the game, and the serene beauty of our surroundings.
Reflecting on it now, I realize that the essence of that memory—the feeling of being entirely present, engaged in an activity that brought pure enjoyment—is something I’ve been unconsciously seeking throughout my artistic career. It’s not about golf or art, per se, but about the pursuit of moments that offer a profound sense of engagement and fulfillment, where time seemed to stand still, and the act of creation becomes an end in itself.
This elusive feeling, a blend of joy, focus, and a deep connection to the moment has become a guiding principle in my work, driving me to create experiences that can evoke a similar sense of immersion and presence in others. Whether through installations that invite contemplation and interaction or through community projects that foster shared creative experiences, I strive to recapture and share that ineffable sense of wonder and contentment I felt on the golf range that evening.
In essence, my artistic journey is a continuous quest for those rare, timeless moments of pure engagement, where the act of creation transcends the mundane and touches something deeper, something universally human. It’s a search for the magic of that sunset at Lake Elizabeth, a reminder that art, at its core for me, is about connecting with others and with ourselves in the quiet, unguarded spaces of our lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nateancheta.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/havumetnate/
- Other: https://artinresidence.gallery/
Image Credits
Fazillah Productions
