Artist Interview – Stephen Anderson

04 Feb Artist Interview – Stephen Anderson

Next up on the artist interview series is Stephen Anderson. Stephen has been active in the local scene for several years now and is very involved in the programming and support of OCCCA. Time for Stephen:

Tell us about your work?

Some major series started with the ‘Burned Fingers Series of 1,000’. Which took 5 years to complete, 1,000 small individual works that became a mosaic diary of my life and outlook upon the world. Each piece has a part of my hand or fingers, which are burned onto the wood with a blowtorch. Burning as an element of pain (literally being ‘burned’) and ritualistic healing. Often the fingers were interacting with the collage elements in the pieces.

This lead to a current series called ‘Material Issues’, which is sculptural collage work dealing with deconstructing advertising slogans, to a more sarcastic and critical view, instead of selling a product or feeling.

I also do installations and video work., the most recent was dealing with issues of gender and sex and how similar the genders are on a biological level, since only one chromosome determines the male gender; Titled ‘XY, XX Big Difference, Big Sex’. So i tackle the big questions of life, the pressures of society, of fitting in, why are we here, why we behave as lemmings, a searching for enlightenment and happiness in troubling times. Applied with humor and wit. I use old books and manuals with illustrations and magazines as source material to collage pieces together. applied to wood panels or cut out and assembled. and i use a blowtorch to ‘burn’ the wood.

What Artists have influenced you and how?

Unconsciously a lot of artists. Because without the history of artists of the past, breaking down traditions and redefining what art is, the artists of today wouldn’t have such a wide palette of mediums and topics to pick from.

What motivates you to make work and stay motivated in the studio?

Its in the blood. Creating artwork is an ultimate freedom, its you and only you attempting to make sense of materials and mold them into an image/object/environment that relates to ones philosophy and aesthetics. Also when a person ‘gets it’. When they connect with the art and appreciate it that is worth more than selling it. Selling is the ‘icing on the cake.’ Having someone want a piece that came from your heart and soul, to display in their home is quite powerful and humbling.

Give us your thoughts about the benefits and challenges of being an artist in Orange County?

Benefits i would image is that there are less venues and artists, so you have more of a chance to be seen. Which is also the challenge because less people go out to see art. Unlike say LA or New York or Europe where art is ingrained in the culture. (however in LA I notice is more about being seen and who you ‘are’ rather than the art, that being said the ‘OC’ has some of that as well, at least at some of the more ‘trendy’ venues)

What Projects/Shows are up next for you?

I’m working on a big installation project for November at Orange County Center for Contemporary art: working title so far is "Field Guide to the End of Civilization" Also working on a documentary film. Based on my Grandma and her talent show group The Rancho Rocketts, quite inspiring they are between 60-90 and have more energy and passion than some 20 year olds, not to mention the stories and history they have lived through. Also as co-founder of The Eclectic Company, organizing and scheduling the film and concert series.