Category: Artist Interviews

Interview with Yosuke Ueno for ‘Beautiful Noise’  | Exhibition September 2 – September 23, 2023

Thinkspace is excited to present YOSUKE UENO for ‘Beautiful Noise‘ our sixth solo exhibition together with the artist. His new series of works are inspired by the reborn aesthetic of the Japanese art of “kintsugi,” which refers to repairing broken pottery by mending the breaks with powdered gold. Ueno explores the Japanese tradition of admiring beauty in the incompleteness of objects, acknowledging breakage, damage, and noise as proof of existence. ‘

Our interview with Ueno shares his rituals before painting, his creative influences/motivations and about his fantasy dinner party.

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

Our brain cells are replaced every day, but we sometimes stay where we are. That sound unnatural to me. I always want to erase myself of yesterday. Scrap & build. The highest point of yesterday is just a new starting point today.

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days?

Usually go to bed around 9pm and find myself at my studio 4 in the morning. I keep painting until get tired.

Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

For me, things like rituals and motivations are not necessary. If I take any of these into my creation, I wouldn’t be able to keep on by losing them. No one needs motivation to brush teeth, painting is just the same natural thing to me.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?

I have image in my mind. First I try to paint it out on canvas. However that eventually makes me bored because I already see it myself. At some point, I start breaking the image and then something comes up which makes me trembled. This is exactly when I feel alive.

Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

When I paint, I think of my friends who’ve passed away or who’re fighting with sickness in hospital. All the time I think about them, it tells me all I have to carry through my artworks is positive messages.
GOOD VIBES ONLY.
That’s it.

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do / be an expert at?

I feel that everything we need for life had already been installed when we were born. Also we were born, knowing what’s important. Perhaps we sometimes forget that in the middle of things surrounding our life. Through our experiences, the older we get, we remind ourselves of how to access or use these fundamental utilities within us.

What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?

All of my artworks cerebrate being alive. No matter what or how I paint, message of my creations shout out to you is “Go alive!” In addition, I would be happier if you can enjoy and feel the happiest to see my artworks.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?

Time with my wife. I’m with her except for the time when I’m alone. Feel comfortable to talk, and also just to be with each other.

Who would be on the guest list if you could throw a dinner party for five people, dead or alive? What would be on the menu? What would be the icebreaker question?

I will invite those who bought my artworks long time before when no one knew about me. Some of them passed away. I want them to see my latest works. I just want to thank them that their words made my artworks pushed forward to here I am. My dinner party would be like, in my studio, put my artworks side by side, have take-out hamburgers peacefully.

What was in your musical rotation during the development of this body of work?

I always love straight-worded lyric music which teenagers like to hear.
Music for challengers.
Music spirited with not giving up, seeking and struggling for dreams. True and straight words of those music have been cheering me up since I was a teenager.

Interview with Wiley Wallace for ‘Woven Trails’ | Exhibition August 5 – August 26, 2023

Thinkspace is excited to present Wiley Wallace ‘Woven Trails,’ bringing a captivating exploration of interconnectedness, time, and space to Thinkspace Projects’ Gallery IV. ‘Woven Trails‘ delves into metaphysical concepts, inviting viewers to reflect on the mysteries of existence. The paintings depict transformative journeys where time, space, and interconnectedness intertwine to form a mesmerizing tapestry of exploration and reflection. Wallace’s pieces convey a kind of sci-fi nostalgia harkening back to a Spielberg-era of extraterrestrial-themed filmmaking. At times their implied innocence and naiveté give way to darker and more dystopian readings, surfacing amidst the neon-hued glow.

Our interview with Wiley reveals what a day in the studio looks like for him, his creative influences, and about his dream collaboration.

Photo by BirdMan

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

In this body of work, I was trying to build off of themes that I have used in the past like the desert, my children, skeletons, and glowing ethereal and polyhedron shapes. I was also trying to add more translucent and abstract shapes of different materials like glass or minerals. Additionally, I was trying to challenge myself to paint bigger on some paintings and smaller on other ones, playing with scale a bit.

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days?
Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

From month to month, a day looks very different depending on what our kids have going on. During the school year, I love to swim or hike in the morning after getting the kids off to school, then paint until I have to teach a class, and then paint until we eat dinner together. In the summer, with everyone home, I moved all my painting stuff into the living room so that I could hang out with my family. I would be painting while the kids watched a show, movie, or played videogames. I did a lot of half watching/listening to whatever they put on. Sometimes they would join me by making their own stuff; crochet, drawing, crafts, etc.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?
Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

I love the act of painting and zoning out into the process for a long time. Least favorite part is the set-up, clean-up, and how fast paint can dry in the summer in Arizona.
Old movies and shows definitely are a huge creative influence on my work. I also love going to art shows when I can and seeing paintings in person and asking myself, “How did they paint that?” After seeing a cool piece of artwork, I always want to get home and paint or draw.

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do / be an expert at?

I think it would be awesome to be able to speak every language.

What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?

I really like to create narrative paintings that have several different interpretations. If someone can look at one of my paintings and build a story in their mind and see each subject matter that I chose to paint as a symbol that stands for something, it would make me happy.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?

Our kids always have some activity that keeps us pretty busy between boy scouts, football, basketball, swim team, other sports, clubs and classes. My daughter has been really into volleyball, which has been so fun to watch. When I finished the last big body of work for the museum show at Mesa, I needed to take a big break and we celebrated some… but for this show I felt like getting right back to painting.

If you could collaborate with any artists in any sort of medium (i.e. movies, music, painting) who would you collaborate with, and what would you be making?

I would really love to learn/collaborate with an awesome VFX or CGI artist. I have a background in 3-D animation and would love to learn more so that I could have awesome references for paintings.

Who would be on the guest list if you could throw a dinner party for five people, dead or alive? What would be on the menu? What would be the icebreaker question?

I honestly would just love a fun dinner party with my family; the five people would be my wife and our three kids. It would be awesome if everybody could pick their favorite meal and we could all share. We wouldn’t need an icebreaker but “twenty questions” or “would you rather” are always pretty fun.

What was in your musical rotation during the development of this body of work?

I listened to a lot of MixCloud and longer mixes people make on YouTube. One of my favorite set of mixes on YouTube is called KHRUANGBIN VIBES by an account called Mol.

Exhibition on view August 5 – August 26, 2023 at:
Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Interview with Jamiah Calvin (AKA Miah The Creator) for ‘Reganomics, Cocaine ’80s and the ’90s Re-Up’ | Exhibition August 5 – August 26, 2023

Thinkspace is excited to present Jamiah Calvin (AKA Miah The Creator) ‘Reganomics, Cocaine ’80s and the ’90s Re-Up’ where he uses past memories and nostalgic moments where the “hard times” were also the best of times. With depictions of iconic hood spots, Calvin highlights the “golden days,” calling attention to the ways recent transplants have glamorized the times of hardship.

In no real order these paintings tell an intimate story of the artist’s world and upbringing, providing a sober view of what it meant to live in a world where drug transactions and confusing crack for candy as a child was a normalized way of life.

Our interview with Jamiah explores his most challenging piece, his most & least favorite part of his creative process, who he would love to collaborate with and what kind of project.

Photo by BirdMan

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

I don’t know if I can call it themes that was being explored by me. However, my goal was to create a narrative on each piece that would capture a true moment of essence and unwavering rawness of life as I know it. If my ‘Nothing Was The Same Again’ body of work that I created 3 years ago was side A to an album then this would be side B. This would be the side that displays the not so pretty shit that we sometimes choose to overlook or discuss. It’s what i consider the beauty within flaws. The perfections within an imperfective world. And that may be the theme and I’m just learning it…The theme of masterfully capturing beautifully, flawed people living in imperfect circumstances. ‘Leola Beloved’ was very challenging because it forced me to face and dissect some emotions that I kept bottled inside for years. It was the first time I painted my grandmother. It was the first time I looked in her young eyes and say to myself damn I miss you. You have to understand the fact that she passed away from heart failure in front of my eyes when I was ten years old and she was in her early forties. She was still young. So it caused me to face a lot during that creative process

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days? Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

A day in the studio can be sporadic. There can be multiple pieces being worked on at once. Some may not get finished until weeks or months after I start on them. I refuse to rush my process for anyone or anything because that defeats the whole purpose of it being “my” process. And when it comes to creating art my structure can be a bit unorthodox. This is due to me putting so much emotion in my work and emotions change. Emotions can be quite fickle, so it can be a little difficult working on a painting on days when it’s challenging to emotionally channel inside it. At least, that’s case for me. As far as rituals go, one thing for certain is that I will have some great music playing on the speaker as I create.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?
Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

My favorite part of the creative process is writing the concepts and ideas down in my art journal. I seriously write down the ideas to my pieces from color choices, composition and titles. I’m usually doing this around 3 am, or some weird time in the afternoon. I keep notepads with me all the time because I’m always writing down my art ideas. I already have my next body of work ideas that I plan on creating in the next couple years already written out in my notepad. My least favorite part of creating is probably mixing colors on the pallet. It still takes me forever to get colors just the way I want them.
There are a lot of amazing artists around the world that I love. They all are unique in their own special way. From past to present. Too many to name right now.

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do / be an expert at?
What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?

I think I was already born with everything I needed downloaded in my brain already. I’m walking in my purpose, therefore, whatever I’m not an expert in yet is not meant to be at the moment. But whatever that may be will come in due time.
I hope viewers experience art that speaks to their soul and not just to they’re eyes. I hope they experience the same breathtaking experience I felt the first I saw an Aaron Douglas painting in person for the first time, Mode 2’s art in the graffiti magazines in the 90’s, or when I saw painting of the boy wearing Airmax with the fish gun by James Jean. They are unforgettable moments for me because the art left a strong impression on my psyche. So that’s a feeling as an artist I strive to give the viewers when they see my work.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?

I read, vinyl shop, watch anime, be with my sons, and just try not to overthink about shit during my downtime. I’m a thinker so my wheels are always turning in my head. I don’t celebrate the completion of my body of work often because I’m always in grind mode… Maybe that’s something I need to learn how to do more often in the future. I will celebrate when I see my work on the walls of The Broad Museum or the LACMA with my some of my art heroes. And I will celebrate when I see a permanent section of black artists works on the walls of the Art Institute of Chicago.

If you could collaborate with any artists in any sort of medium (i.e. movies, music, painting) who would you collaborate with, and what would you be making?

I would love to collaborate with Ryan Coogler or Lena Waithe. I would love to make an animated mini series. I don’t want to give out the details of the show because I don’t want anyone to steal my idea and who knows I may meet one of them one day and make that collaboration come to manifestation.

Who would be on the guest list if you could throw a dinner party for five people, dead or alive? What would be on the menu? What would be the icebreaker question?

Jesus. Prophet Muhammad. Buddha. Richard Pryor. Wanda Sykes.
The menu would have wine made by Jesus himself, rib tips, jade rice, fish, vegan sides, soul food and lemon pound cake. The icebreaker question would be “Jesus do you be on a bathroom break or something when we be down here going through some of this mess?”

What was in your musical rotation during the development of this body of work?

Killer Mike’s new album, John Coltrane, Cleo Sol, cocaine 80s and 90’s re-up playlist on Spotify.

Exhibition on view August 5 – August 26, 2023 at:
Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Interview with GoopMassta for ‘Leader of the Pack’ | Exhibition August 5 – August 26, 2023

Thinkspace presents GOOPMASSTA ‘Leader of the Pack‘ in The Doghouse Gallery.

Our interview with GoopMassta shares his life outside of the studio, which skill/superpower he would choose and what would be on the menu for his ultimate 5 fantasy dinner guests.

My main theme was playing off the irony of the dog house itself while embracing it at the same time. The main piece I created ‘Smokin’ Bones Poker Club‘ presented the most challenges. I wanted to recreate the well known dog poker scene painting while maintaining its familiarity, but incorporating my character, giving it my style, while still pushing myself with different painting techniques.

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days? Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

I’m an early riser, so as soon as the light shines through the window into my eyes in the morning I wake up ready and happy to be able to have another day to create and experience the world. I have a vision board where I have all my projects up so I can see everything all at once – upcoming shows, sculpture ideas, mural sketches, etc. I wouldn’t say I have a set structure to my days, I like to do what feels good and go with the flow, while of course keeping in mind any deadlines, commissions or upcoming projects. As far as rituals go I’m a traditional style artist – I still like to conceptualize my ideas into reality using pencil and paper.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process?
Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

My favorite part is actively working on any of my projects; when you really get into it and completely lose yourself. The creative flow just takes over and it’s a blissful and surreal feeling that seems like it will never end. My least favorite part is the real end – the clean up. Having to pick up all the pieces, clean up spills, spots, messes. I’m already tired and exhausted, but it’s got to get done to get ready for the next one. I would say that I am creatively influenced by many different aspects of the world – people, passion, the environment, music, architecture, you name – you can find inspiration from it. It’s not about why something inspires me, it’s about the feeling and the drive it gives me to pursue what I want and love to do.

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do / be an expert at?

Easy – finance. I would like to download how to be a financial expert, so that I can have complete financial freedom. Not only to support myself and my family, but to also be able to give back and help others as well.

What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?

For this particular show and its pieces I want viewers to experience the irony of “being in the dog house” and really see how I embraced the theme not only in a literal way but also in a figurative way as well and to appreciate the different points-of-view I showed through my body of work.

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?

Honestly, I spend all my time working. When I am not in the studio I’m at a show, or event, or out painting a wall. I’m constantly trying to build up my brand and showcase my character to the world. And I’m always celebrating! ABC baby (always be celebrating)! I’m grateful for my career, the people I’ve met along the way and everywhere it has taken me, as well as the different opportunities it has provided for me. And that is how I get to enjoy my life.

If you could collaborate with any artists in any sort of medium (i.e. movies, music, painting) who would you collaborate with, and what would you be making?

I would choose to collaborate with Murakami. He has helped push characters to be in the limelight, allowing for a broader audience to appreciate them. I also enjoy his kawaii style and the way he markets and brands himself. Our collab would definitely be some type of iconic sculpture.

Who would be on the guest list if you could throw a dinner party for five people, dead or alive? What would be on the menu? What would be the icebreaker question?

My guest list for my dinner party would be Walt Disney, Jim Henson, Murakami, Bernini, and Nigo. My appetizer course would be oysters and a seafood tower or beef tartar in case someone doesn’t care for seafood. Followed by a main course of a pistachio crusted rack of lamb topped with caviar alongside pureed parsnips and glazed carrots. For the dessert course I would serve a delectable creme brulee. My icebreaker question would be – What is something you attribute to your success that could help others who are trying to reach their dreams and goals?

What was in your musical rotation during the development of this body of work?

For this body of work my music varied from Big L, Charles Bradley, Action Bronson, Mulatu Astatke and the list can go on and on. I like to switch up my music depending on the way I’m feeling and vibes the music is giving me.

Exhibition on view August 5 – August 26, 2023 on Saturdays only at The Courtyard from 12 PM – 6 PM at:
Thinkspace Projects
4207 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016

Interview With Clementine Bal for ‘Magic Friends’ | Exhibition August 5 – August 26, 2023

Thinkspace is excited to present Paris-based French sculptor Clementine Bal‘s ‘Magic Friends’ where her body of work explores slightly strange, quirky, or even truly bizarre characters and a joyful luminous ensemble fueled by gradients and contrasts. Each subject was designed to celebrate their own individuality, even as some of them still struggle to accept themselves as they are. With shapes ranging from the easily recognizable, such as animals, suns, or mountains to the more abstract curves, spikes, bumps, and hollows.

Our interview with Clementine reveals her creative influences and inspirations, her fantasy dinner guest list and what maybe is the next level she envisions for her quirky characters that might make them even more magical.

What themes were you exploring in this body of work? Did you have a piece that was particularly challenging?

I wanted to work on original characters, giving them sometimes strange shapes. I also wanted to make wall sculptures, so that they take a little height. I wanted to give them confidence, to impose their strangeness and take us into their magical world.
I wanted to work a lot more with colors for this body of work. I wanted to create a very colorful set, in line with the more playful temperament of these new characters. I had a great need for joy and gaiety.
The work on certain sculptures was particularly long and difficult. The large wall pieces with complex shapes in particular required months of work. Days and days of sanding, finishing and handling difficulties. It’s all the more rewarding when the job is done!

What does a day in the studio look like for you? How do you structure your days? Do you have any rituals that help you tap into a creative flow?

I have very conventional working days because they are based on my children’s schedules. I am in my studio from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. I sometimes go back a bit in the evening but I generally take this quiet time to do little drawings. In general, I plan the day before my goals for the day. In the morning I start with what I prefer to do, listening to audio books. In the afternoon, I advance on what is necessary, with music. It is rather well structured and it helps me to be well concentrated.

What is your most favorite and least favorite part of the creative process? Who are some of your creative influences? Why do they inspire you?

I have lots of favorite moments! First of all, I love the beginning, throwing myself into building something. But I also like to realize the details, and to see these forms which become characters.
What is most complicated is the end. The final touches, often endless, and the photos, which closes the process. There comes a time when you have to accept that it’s not perfect, and move on to try to do better!
The discovery of Mark Ryden’s work was a big crush for me, I loved the distorted naivety of his characters, the link with the world of childhood.
I’m a fan of Hayao Miyazaki’s films, these masterpieces with all these extraordinary characters.
In literature, Murakami is truly one of my favorite authors, with his fantastic creativity.
And then there are these contemporary artists whose work I admire like Otani workshop and Klara Kristalova with their characters of great sensitivity. Nicolas Party, whose work with colors I particularly admire. Ob with all its delicacy. Roby Dwi Antono and his incredible artistic path. David Shrigley and his humor. And of course so many others…

If you could have any skill or topic downloaded into your brain, what would you want to be able to do / be an expert at?

What do you hope viewers take away or experience while viewing your work?
So what I would like (maybe it’s more of a magic power than a skill) would be to be able to talk to the animals. I could tell them how much I love them, and how sorry I am for all the harm done to them.
But concerning my work, I believe that it would be better to remove things from my brain. With less expectations, control, fear, I could gain spontaneity. I work on that!
If my sculptures can give people a sweet, inner smile, then my job is done!

How do you like to enjoy your time outside of the studio? Do you celebrate the completion of a body of work?
When I’m not in my studio, I take care of my children, my animals, my family. And when nobody needs me, I go back to work. It is both physical and cerebral activity. I like feeling tired after a hard day’s work.
I don’t celebrate anything at all! Of course, I can be satisfied with the work done, but I immediately think of what’s next. There is continuity and each completed work calls for the next.

If you could collaborate with any artists in any sort of medium (i.e. movies, music, painting) who would you collaborate with, and what would you be making?

I would like to collaborate with a designer, and create everyday objects that would take on eccentric shapes as if they were transformed. It would amuse me a lot!
What might also interest me would be to see my characters in stop motion, I find certain film aesthetics magnificent.

Who would be on the guest list if you could throw a dinner party for five people, dead or alive? What would be on the menu? What would be the icebreaker question?

There are obviously plenty of people whose work I admire, but for a dinner, I prefer to invite those with whom we are going to have a good evening.
I invite Laure Calamy, brilliant French actress, super funny. The kind of personality opposite of me, I adore.
I invite Marion Peck and Mark Ryden, because they are so inspiring!
I invite Totoro (I allow myself! ), Because if I had to worship a god, I would choose him. And I would love to give him a hug.
And I invite Ricky Gervais, he really does me good.
Regarding the menu, well, I hope my guests won’t have too many expectations about it because gastronomy is clearly not one of my passions. It will be vegetarian, and above all we will drink a good little wine because I will be very intimidated by everyone!
And I’m really not very good at sociability, so icebreaker questions usually come the other way around!

What was in your musical rotation during the development of this body of work?

I usually listen to a bit of everything, classical, rock, electro, it’s very varied. But the last few months, it’s been very hip-hop. Working on large pieces can be very physical, and music is a great help in maintaining pace and motivation. Thank you Eminem and Dr Dre, you have been a great help to me!

Exhibition on view August 5 – August 26, 2023 at:
Thinkspace Projects
4217 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Los Angeles, California 90016