NEWS 
UCSC ART DEPARTMENT

FALL
2022

Images: Grant Whipple; Sarah Sanford; Cláudio Bueno & João Simões; Cláudio Bueno at Aldeia Kalipethy;
Former student Mathew Zefeldt; Visiting artist Sarah Smelser; Jimin Lee; Jennifer Parker.

NEW ART FACULTY

Two very talented and fabulous faculty members have joined our department. Welcome Cláudio and Grant!

Cláudio Bueno. Photo: Haroldo Saboia

He is a member of the groups Explode! Platform (which promotes and develops research and experimentation around practices that discuss the body and its intersections of class, race, gender, sexuality, and non-normative possibilities), Intervalo-Escola (an experimental school that maps, develops and experiences ways of learning in/against/on/from/ the art field) and O grupo inteiro (which seeks to multiply paths and establish conditions for public dialogues through political-aesthetic propositions).

In 2018-19, Bueno co-curated the exhibition 'Fields of Invisibility' at Sesc-SP – a reflection on the global technological infrastructures and its modes of operation regarding the dynamics of life and the Earth.

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BUENO'S RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS, FALL 2022

Testing Grounds, Het Nieuwe Instittut, Roterdam. Jury Member. As a co-founder and member of O grupo inteiro, Bueno participated as a jury member of the 2022–2023 Het Nieuwe Instittut Research Fellowship programme, focused on the idea of "Testing Grounds". Read More

Body as Barometer, Performance at Khoji Studios, New Dheli. In October 2022, Bueno and his partner João Simões presented the performance "Wind Channelling (Pacific/Indian)" at Khoji Studios (New Delhi / India), an event sponsored by the swiss arts council Pro Helvetia. Read More

Parable of Progress, from October 2022 to April 2023, Bueno is co-curating the public program of the exhibition Parable of the Progress, at Sesc Pompeia (Sao Paulo, Brazil). The exhibition takes as its organizing principle the cultural center’s Área de Convivência (Living Space)—whose conception, under architect Lina Bo Bardi’s renovation, was informed by care, sensitivity, and conviviality. An extensive Public Program will feature approximately 50 participants in 60 activities. Read More

Lisa: Where did you grow up and what was your childhood like?
Grant: Hi Lisa, thanks for the interview. I grew up in Chicago and feel my entire being continues to see the world through that filter, though ironically I have never lived in Chicago as an adult. My parents are still in the home I grew up in, and I have been so fortunate to have a supportive family throughout my artistic journey which has taken many turns. I went to an inner city magnet high school, Whitney Young, now on the map for Michelle Obama fame. Here I got the creative bug from teachers like Barry Bruner, alongside the teachings of the city itself, like long ‘L’ train rides searching for the freshest rattle can masterpieces.

Lisa: Why did you choose to teach at UC Santa Cruz?
Grant: My partner and twin six-month-olds stuffed under each arm arrived here in 2016 at the exciting prospect to live in a magical place between the redwood mountains and the sea where the students are as inspiring as the landscape.

Lisa: Who and/or what inspires you?
Grant: See above:) I’m very fluid and susceptible to inspiration and can be motivated by large and small encounters from throughout my day to make a drawing, sketch out a song, or get a little too into play-dough time with the kids. I have lately been painting on the broad theme of glowing red light. This idea came from experiencing how cold it got huddled above a space-heated only art studio, while news was coming in of wildfires on the horizon and evacuation orders were being sent out.

Lisa: Why did you choose your particular area of research/focus?
Grant: I am naturally very scatter-brained and on a given day have a hard time thinking clearly. Drawing and painting helps me to channel my ideas and focus and is also a space where it is acceptable to be a little all over the place.

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ENVIRONMENTAL ART & SOCIAL PRACTICE (EASP) MFA
ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

Students at UC Natural Reserves. Photo: Professor Karolina Karlic

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IN SOLIDARITY WITH UAW STRIKE

The Art Department would like to express its support of the student workers represented by the UAW across the campuses of the University of California and has published a statement in support of Solidarity.

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FACULTY RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

MIKROS:
UN MUNDO OCULTO, MADRID

The exhibition creates an imaginary world of the overlooked and imperceptible unicellular algae, cyanobacteria, or foraminifera in support of life on this planet as we search for possibilities of life in the Universe. Developed in collaboration with Professor Jennifer Parker, Director of the UCSC OpenLab Collaborative Research Center, Dr. José Carlos Espinel of SCIART at Universidad Complutense, Madrid, and members of The Aglae Society: BioArt & Design Lab.

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Breaking Through by Sarah Sanford

BREAKING THROUGH
NATIONAL PRINT EXHIBITION,
LOS ANGELES

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THE MARCH OF TIME
SOLO EXHIBITION, TOKYO +  RESIDENCY, AWAGAMI FACTORY, TOKUSHIMA

Professor Jimin Lee held a solo exhibition entitled “The March of Time” at Shirota Gallery in Tokyo.  At this prestigious venue she presented her newest series focused on vulnerability, decline and loss that draws on both personal experience and world events.  She carried out her second residency, following a first one in 2011, at Awagami Factory, at the Hall of Awa Japanese Paper Museum in Tokushima right after this exhibition.

During her residency Prof. Lee conducted numerous tests for printing with newly developed Awagami inkjet papers at their factory's digital print lab where she created two hybrid pieces that combined inkjet printing and indigo paper dye (Izome) for woodblock print. She also gave an artist talk to the local community in coordination with a solo show at Inbe Art Space.

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TRADITION + INNOVATION:
RELIEF PRINTMAKING, SEOUL

The program started with a five-day class cultural excursion to Cheongju, Jeonju, Heainsa temple and Gyeonju to obtain first-hand experience of rare and historical artifacts, objects, books and prints designated by UNESCO World Heritage. Classes were held at Kookmin University in Seoul. Participating students (14 UCSC, 1 UCB and 1 UCSB) were exposed to many aspects of both traditional and contemporary relief (woodblock) printmaking, including Korean Hanji, tools and techniques, as well as the current issues and concepts. The culmination of this program was a group exhibition mounted by the students at the University Art Gallery at the College of Fine Arts, Kookmin University. Students gave their exhibition the title “Proximity," and each displayed 3-4 prints in the big gallery space. Special thanks to Edward Ramirez, for traveling with the class and providing support to students and the professor.

“If you are considering going on a study abroad trip, you should just go for it! This was a great chance to improve my practice while also taking inspiration from the new environment and cultural practices. There were many memories from that trip that I will never forget.” - Leola Sanchez (UCSC Art Major)

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Photo: Unseen California by Karolina Karlic

UNSEEN CALIFORNIA
UC NATURAL RESERVE SYSTEM

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VISITING ARTIST

Defying the Laws IV, 2021, 20" x 16", Sarahg Smelser

SARAH SMELSER
CONTEMPORARY PRINT MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER

Sarah is the Harold Boyd Endowed Professor and Associate Director of the Wonsook Kim School of Art at Illinois State University. From 2006 to 2008 Smelser was President of the Mid America Print Council, a national non-profit organization of artist printmakers and educators. She later served as co-editor for its quarterly journal.

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GRAD STUDENT HIGHLIGHT

L GILBERT
UCSC - EASP STUDENT 

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ALUM HIGHLIGHT

Jet and Bridge (Customizable Realities series), 2019

MATHEW ZEFELDT
FORMER UCSC STUDENT

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OPEN STUDIOS FALL 2022
SAVE THE DATE: DEC 2, 12:00 – 4:00 PM

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