Not Real Art

Known for its emphasis on figuration, surrealism, and pop culture, the New Contemporary Art movement has roots in the irreverent, high-energy counterculture of the ‘90s. Largely self-supported and community-driven, the movement has slowly taken shape beyond gallery walls, incorporating “lowbrow,” accessible, and socially-activated work by artists that tend to fall outside the mainstream. On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Andrew Hosner of Thinkspace Projects to discuss the curator’s leading role in the New Contemporary Art movement. As the co-founder, curator, and owner of Thinkspace, Andrew is an authority on all things street art and L.A. subculture. “We're blessed to know a lot of people,” he says. “We’ve got our toe in the subculture. If we’re able to help be that mouthpiece that helps expand that bandwidth for those folks and get them seen by the general public and let them live their lives through their creativity and their God-given gif

Our individual and collective histories are composed of fragments—bits of information we piece together in different ways. According to former professional athlete, multidisciplinary artist, and NOT REAL ART 2022 grant winner Kiley Ames, these fragments can be rearranged and reinterpreted to create personalized perceptions of reality.Using small, distinct brushstrokes to illustrate her philosophy on fragments, Kiley paints in an Impressionistic style that prioritizes light, color, and texture. “[Painting] is a very tactile experience, and I want people to get up close to it and see it [from] far away and look at it from the side,” says Kiley, who often invites patrons to her studio at the Beacon Arts Building in Inglewood, California. “I love for people to see my work in person […] the way I paint is incredibly difficult to see online, regardless of how great the photos are.”On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Kiley to discu

Did you know that the US government spends just $5 per person per year on the arts? Or that over 50 countries have a Department or Ministry of Culture, but the US doesn’t? In fact, the US has less government support for the arts per person than any other developed nation. These uncomfortable truths surface in The Art of Making It (2021), a fascinating documentary that follows a diverse group of young artists as they navigate an increasingly fraught art-world ecosystem. Directed by Kelcey Edwards, The Art of Making It includes interviews with six artists—Jenna Gribbon, Gisela McDaniel, Chris Watts, Hilde Lynn Helphenstein, Sebastian Errazuriz, and Felipe Baeza—at pivotal points in their careers. On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power discusses The Art of Making It, unpacking what the film gets right, where it flounders, and how it could’ve done better. “[The film] did a fabulous job of celebrating the world we love, some of the artists, and the art that we l

It’s been said one man’s trash is another’s treasure. Today’s podcast guest, emerging artist Tex Hammond, transforms discarded items like wood, glass, Styrofoam, and cardboard into stunning works of art. “I want to learn how to [make my own canvas and paper] and repurpose things like that because it’s less wasteful and there is no downside to it,” says the LA-based artist, who uses unconventional surfaces in his colorful, eco-conscious work. Bursting with scribbles, doodles, and blobs of paint, Tex’s work is heavily influenced by artists like Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, who took a childlike approach to artmaking. In today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Tex to chat about the young artist’s brief but prolific career. At just 16 years old, Tex boasts an impressive resume that would make any professional artist envious. He is the youngest artist ever to exhibit at the LA Art Show, where his entire inventory sold out two yea

What’s the best way to spark meaningful social transformation? Today’s guest, Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq, believes he has an answer: “If you are looking at social justice or equity or the environment, [creativity and empathy are important for all of these things],” he says. “Through the arts, we can cultivate creativity and grow mutual empathy.” On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Dr. Ashfaq Ishaq to discuss his role as founder and executive chairman of the International Child Art Foundation (ICAF), an organization that fosters the imagination of children and infuses it with empathy. The ICAF organizes and produces several programs intended to create the next generation of empaths, including their flagship after-school program, Arts Olympiad, and the World Children’s Festival, a three-day celebration of creativity, diversity, and unity. “The [World Children’s Festival] should be such a positive experience that it becomes transformative for the child

Some artists are rebels at heart. Today’s guest, Jo-Ann Morgan, found her inner iconoclast as professor emeritus of African American studies and art history at Western Illinois University. Jo-Ann is also a professional fiber artist and one among six winners of NOT REAL ART’s 2022 artist grant. Established in 2019, the grant is awarded annually to six working artists who push the boundaries of what’s possible in the art world. Today, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Jo-Ann Morgan to discuss the evocative fiber work that netted her a spot as one of last year’s grant winners. “I usually don't like to talk about work until it's done,” says Jo-Ann, whose elaborate wall hangings are lovingly stitched in remembrance of violence victims. Works like “Daddy Changed the World” and “Elegy for Elijah” commemorate George Floyd and Elijah McClain, who both recently died at the hands of police in separate encounters. Similarly, "Lady Corona Comforts the Children" depicts a maternal ap

Some people are problem-solvers by nature. With 15 years of experience in the tech industry and a background in art business, today’s guest, Badir McCleary, knows how to fix nearly any problem the art world throws at him.On today’s podcast, host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Badir—a longtime friend of NOT REAL ART—to discuss how the entrepreneur’s problem-solving skills helped him forge a unique, multifaceted career in the arts. Growing up, Badir was “really good at taking things apart and putting them back together,” a skill his parents cultivated at every opportunity. “That gave me the confidence that I could get into something and problem-solve,” he says early in the interview. “That’s where my creativity in tech and also my problem-solving in art comes from.”Based in Los Angeles, Badir is the founder of Art Above Reality, a full-service art consulting and curatorial firm focused on “vision, history, and people.” In 2015 he co-founded Gallery 38, a contemporary gallery that catered to artists of c

Pablo Picasso once said, “Everything you can imagine is real.” While the imagination is a powerful—and necessary—tool for artists, today’s guest believes success takes more than simply having a dream; it requires a solid game plan to become a reality.“The key to manifesting a dream is by daily actions,” says Los Angeles designer Mary Lai, who joins host Scott “Sourdough” Power on today’s podcast episode to discuss her two-decades-long career in the arts. A tireless source of positive energy, Mary creates colorful work—murals, sculptures, digital art, mixed media—that reflects her can-do attitude and sunny disposition. Prior to working as a fine artist, Mary built a decade-long career in NYC as a fashion accessories designer, even creating an award-winning namesake handbag collection. While the time she spent as a designer offered Mary invaluable insight into commercial art, she feels more at home with her current role in fine art. “I don’t think I would have felt as fulfilled doing handbags as I am now,”

If you’re a regular listener of the Not Real Art Podcast, you’ll likely agree that art has the ability to educate, entertain, provoke thought, and illicit a wide range of emotions. Today’s guest believes that, as long as you can make a viewer feel something, you’re on the right path! Joining us is Michael Massenburg, an African American teaching artist and community organizer. Born in San Diego, raised in South Central Los Angeles, and based in Inglewood, Micheal says that he began his career at the Watts Towers Arts Center in Los Angeles, influenced by the Watts Rebellion, the Black Art Movement of the 1960s, and the 1992 Los Angeles Uprising. His socially-informed practice speaks to historical, cultural, and personal narratives and incorporates a diverse range of materials, combining painting, collage, photography, and assemblage to explore the African diaspora experience in the Americas. Michael is also what you would call an “artivist” (or an art activist), devoting much of his time to art education, lect

One essential trait that differentiates us from animals is creativity—you could say it’s what makes us human. Today’s podcast guest believes creativity not only cultivates connection, better health, and critical thinking but can also “help humanity save itself.” In today’s episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power introduces 2022 NOT REAL ART grant winner Ellamaria Foley-Ray, a visionary artist who combines ceramics, literature, anthropology, and quilt-making to magical effect. The annual grant, established in 2019, provides financial backing and creative support to working artists across the US who challenge the meaning of “real art.”“[The phrase] ‘not real art’ has Western, colonial, oppressive tones that define some creatives as legitimate art-makers and the rest of us as imposters who fail at making ‘real art,’” says Ellamaria, whose work explores African culture across the continent and throughout the diaspora. Treating clay like cloth, the professor of African American studies

Is the term “artist” simply assigned to those who paint, draw, or cook? Or is there more to being an artist than owning a great easel or a luxe set of oil paints? “Guess what? You don’t have to go to art school to be an artist,” says NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power in this month’s auditorial episode, which poses the question: “What does it really mean to be an artist?” along with its inevitable follow-up: “How do you know if you are one?” In today’s episode, Scott weighs in on the famously thorny topic, challenging preconceived notions (including his own) about the nature of art, creativity, empathy, and ego. “It strikes me that being an artist is not just a job; it’s a calling,” says Scott, reflecting on the artist’s innate compulsion to create, make, and express themselves. “It’s how we’re wired. It’s who we are,” he continues. Scott touches on the less common traits that characterize a “real artist,” including curiosity, open-mindedness, discernment, and compassion: “Whether we see [

“Anybody can be a collector of beautiful things,” says Michael Hawley, who heads the Getty Museum Photographs Council (GMPC), a donors’ group that helps the museum acquire work from underrepresented artists. The world of art collection and custodianship is historically elitist, so it’s no wonder many people find the idea of simply entering a gallery intimidating. An established collector himself, Michael reassures would-be collectors that art is for everyone and anyone can be a collector with the right mindset. On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Michael to discuss the curator’s avid love of art and his mission to democratize ownership for collectors of all different incomes. “We're very interested in this democratization of art,” Michael says of the Photographic Arts Council Los Angeles, where he is also a sitting chairperson. To draw in a younger audience, the council recently instituted an affordable membership level for educators and studen

Was the iconic Roy Lichtenstein a great artist, a thief, or both? This is the question posed by Whaam! Blam! Roy Lichtenstein and the Art of Appropriation, a documentary film directed and produced by today’s podcast guest, James L Hussey.“When I set out to make [the film], I viewed it as a very straightforward, intellectual, technical film about appropriation,” says James, who released the film in November 2022. “When is it OK? When is it not OK? What surprised me and surprised audiences is that [it turned] into a human-interest story.” On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with James to discuss Whaam! Blam!, Lichtenstein’s legacy, and the thin line between appropriation and plagiarism.A key figure in the Pop Art movement of the 1960s, Lichtenstein borrowed directly from comic books, advertisements, and historical art sources to create bold, graphic paintings. His recognizable works are housed in the world’s finest galleries and can fetch upwards

“My art has become my way to play,” says photographer Y Hope Osborn, who “never had any art education” but grew up with a camera in her hand. In today’s podcast episode, the 2022 NOT REAL ART grant winner sits down with our host, Scott “Sourdough” Power, to talk about the healing power of art, writing, and play. “As a child, I was so stifled by abuse that I didn’t know how to play,” Hope says. “I didn’t know how to be a child. You’d put these toys in front of me and I’m like, ‘They’re just things, I’m supposed to do what with them?’ And it didn’t make any sense or mean anything in my world.”Hope, an Arkansas-based writer and self-taught photographer, describes her art as a form of play, an outpouring of expression, and a tool to transcend the trauma she experienced as a child: “Now I have this freedom,” she says, “even in bad health and in still dealing with trauma and everything, I have this freedom to be creative and play in my art. Whether it's in my digital, abstract art or in finding a creative pers

It’s no revelation that success is the sum of preparation and opportunity, yet it’s always inspiring to witness the philosophy in action. On today’s podcast episode, San Diego-based painter Ezra Brown joins host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power to chat about the power of perseverance in an oversaturated industry. “I’m a late bloomer,” says Ezra, who dropped his day job during the pandemic to focus on a career in fine art. “I’ve been [painting] for such a long time, and I had been waiting for my opportunity to hit,” he tells Scott, adding, “In this day and age, you’ve got to do what makes you happy.”Ironically, Ezra’s signature character, a vintage-style cartoon called Happy the Clown, is anything but. Starring as the protagonist in Ezra’s recent show at LA’s ThinkSpace Projects, Trying to Keep It Together, Happy drinks, smokes, and cries as his house burns, his soul leaves his body, and his girlfriend leaves him. Like many artists before him, Ezra encourages viewers to access and cope wit

For 48 years, the quick-witted comedians, writers, and actors of Saturday Night Live (SNL) have inspired both belly laughs and giddy tears. Whether broadcasting John Belushi’s cartwheels, Will Ferrell’s cowbell routine, or Tina Fey’s biting commentary on Weekend Update, the long-running show has guided multiple generations through cultural changes with humor and professionalism. In today’s auditorial episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power recounts a recent, once-in-a-lifetime experience: attending a taping of SNL at 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Scott shares his observations on the big night, reflecting on the collaborative spirit between cast and crew that contributes to the show’s lasting impact. “I was so moved by the level of precision, commitment, and practice that was essential and necessary to create the best-in-class cultural, creative institution,” Scott says in the episode.An important part of SNL’s unrivaled execution, according to Scott, is the artful leadership of producer Lo

This year at NOT REAL ART, we’re introducing a brand new exhibition series designed to inspire you with the artwork and artists we love. For this week’s special podcast episode, host Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with NOT REAL ART Editor-in-Chief Morgan Laurens, who sheds some light on our 2023 First Friday Exhibitions program. Opening on the first Friday of every month, the series explores contemporary ideas and issues with innovative works from leading lights in the creative industry. Kicking off the series in February, our 2022 Grant Winner Exhibition celebrates the accomplishments of last year’s six NOT REAL ART grant winners. March brought Women in Love, an exhibition exploring the power and complexity of love on the cusp of an increasingly unsettled future. This month’s exhibition, Art and the Environment, features nature-centric work that explores the devastating effects of climate change on the world around us. Up next, Sugar Rush looks at the communal aspects of food and eating in May. “It’s

Food and the environment are inextricably linked—everything we eat has a footprint. Since the 1950s, industrialized food production and modern-day overconsumption have contributed to climate change, environmental degradation, and economic depression. Still, many innovators are working to find sustainable ways to feed the world's population. Food as a means to create positive change has long inspired Taiji Terasaki, a Japanese American artist and activist based in Hawaii. Raised in a family of scientists and creatives, Taiji combines the best of both worlds to create work across a wide variety of mediums. From large-scale installations to pioneering “mist” photography, Taiji’s cutting-edge presentations emphasize the urgency and importance of environmental conservation. On today’s podcast, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power chats with Taiji about the artist’s mission to improve life on Earth for all its inhabitants. “Believe me, I never dreamed I would be an activist,” Taiji tells

While not all artists feel like entrepreneurs, many creatives would jump at the chance to earn a paycheck from their passion. Despite the benefits of a bigger payday, few artists invest in a basic business skill set. While budding entrepreneurs have a seemingly endless array of tools and resources at their fingertips, very few support systems are designed for the specific challenges that artists face today. Enter nonprofit Fractured Atlas. On today’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Fractured Atlas CEO Theresa Hubbard to discuss the organization’s mission and purpose in the arts sector. Founded in 1998 as a performing arts production company, Fractured Atlas has since evolved into a service-based organization that provides artists with the tools, skills, and guidance they need to thrive in their chosen field. Serving both individual artists and arts organizations at every level of the cultural ecosystem, Fractured Atlas also provides funds, educational

“When you take weird risks and opportunities, weird shit presents itself,” says Shawn Kolodny, whose large-scale installations are strange in all the right ways. Using polished steel as his primary medium, the Miami artist is known for his “balls,” reflective sculptures that exist somewhere between the realms of art, science, and magic. On this week’s podcast episode, host and NOT REAL ART founder Scott “Sourdough” Power sits down with Shawn to discuss the artist’s winding journey from business to industrial design to fine art. With an MBA under his belt, Shawn approaches his fine art career with an entrepreneur’s mindset, explaining that he sees himself as the CEO of his own small venture. “I always look at the artist as an entrepreneur,” he tells Scott. “You’re basically a small business where [you’re] in charge of marketing, [you’re] in charge of social outreach, [you’re] in charge of inventory, [you’re] in charge of general finances. Oh, by the way, [you’re] also creating the stuff.”Realizing that ma