Not Real Art

Today, guest host and LA muralist Erin Yoshi is joined by performance artist, comedian, writer, and elected representative, Kristina Wong. Kristina has been featured in the New York Times’ Off Color series, highlighting artists of color who use humor to make smart social statements about the sometimes subtle, sometimes obvious ways that race plays out in America today. She has been presented internationally across North America, the UK, Hong Kong, and on the African continent, and has been a guest on late night shows on NBC, Comedy Central, and FX. Kristina’s work has been described as “brutal but hilarious" and, in this episode, she shares her unique perspective on the intersection between politics and art, martyrdom and mental health, and her Western privilege as an Asian American woman. We also touch on vagina costumes, yellow fever, and Kristina’s love-hate relationship with activism and obsession, plus so much more! To learn more about Kristina Wong and how she confronts defunct systems of power thr

In today’s episode of the Not Real Art Podcast, guest host and prolific Los Angeles-based muralist Erin Yoshi speaks with Ashara Ekundayo about the power of joy-informed art for resistance and healing. Ashara is a Black feminist, an independent curator, an artist, and an interdisciplinary creative arts leader committed to an intersectional framework of social transformation that expands the influence and impact of arts and culture on racial and gender equity and environmental literacy, and more specifically one that necessitates a practice of recognizing joy in the midst of struggle. Tuning in, you’ll learn more about the work that Ashara does through her nonprofit, Artist as First Responder, which acknowledges that artists show up first in crisis and celebration to forge solutions, heal communities, and save lives through design, practice, invitation, and presentation. Ashara shares her mission to hold space for creative labor, to create beautiful narratives about joy and pleasure in a society so focused on

Unfortunately, the art world can be flypaper for dysfunctional people, and we all know someone who has borne the brunt of that instability! For today’s show, a few artists have written in to tell their Art World Horror Stories, including Ed Whitmore, who shares how he was treated by a mentally unstable gallery owner who approached him to present a solo exhibition as an emerging artist. Caitlin Burnett tells us how a fire in a laundry room laid claim to all the art she had ever created, while Ruchetta Banjerly reflects on how vanity galleries scam artists with soul-crushing schemes, Sarah Phillips recounts the horror of a gallery curator that discounted the value of her paintings, and Alexander Augustus shares his feelings about unpaid internships, which are all too common in the art world! Tune in today for Volume 4 of Art World Horror Stories!Key Points From This Episode:Ed Whitmore on how he lost money on an exhibition thanks to a dysfunctional gallery owner.Caitlin Burnett tells the horror story of how all

Today’s Art World Horror Stories are a mixed bag of tragedies and disasters that serve as cautionary tales to empower artists to protect themselves and hope for the best while planning for the worst, because you never know what is going to happen! For example, David Alexander Willis shares the story of painter, Jason Shawn Alexander, who had a show at Booth Gallery in New York City where a forklift was driven through one of his paintings. Yikes! In this episode, we share more horror stories of assholes doing asshole-y things, stolen intellectual property, and even a real-life haunted art venue. The stories you’ll hear in today’s episode are not read by the artists involved, but by an AI avatar, introducing an added element of spookiness, so make sure to tune in and enjoy!Key Points From This Episode:Mikel Cirkus shares how Swatch Watches stole his intellectual property after a pitch.The lesson in Micheal’s story: do not give away your ideas, sign contracts, protect yourself!The horrifying comment that Diane N

Welcome to Volume 2 of Art World Horror Stories, where we share the stories we have collected from our larger network of artists and creators. These are intended as cautionary tales about how things can go wrong in the art world and beyond, and will hopefully prevent you from falling victim to the same horrors! Today’s stories come from two artists who share their accounts of the disrespect that artists are oftentimes subjected to when someone damages our artwork or insults our artistic integrity. In this episode, you’ll hear from Tara Vantapour, a multidisciplinary artist based in Paris, and OG low brow artist, Anthony Ausgang, about the contempt and ridicule they have endured at the hands of gallery curators and wealthy art collectors. In one, the artist walks away with new ground rules and, in the other, with $100 in cash. Make sure to tune in today to find out how these horror stories end!Key Points From This Episode:Introducing today’s artists: Tara Vantapour and Anthony Ausgang.Tara shares an Art World

Today we are starting a new segment, something terrifying, something horrifying; introducing Art World Horror Stories! Over the last couple of weeks, we have been collecting stories from our larger network of artists and creators, intended as cautionary tales, or reminders about how wrong things can go in the world of art and beyond. Some of the time all the hard work and love you put into projects pays off, but sometimes the best-laid plans come to nothing, and the ship sinks in front of your eyes. Today's episode is the first of these and Sourdough kicks things off by talking about the events of 2014 when Crew West Studios almost saw through an amazing vision to oversee the painting of jumbo jets for Virgin Atlantic. Right before the plan really kicked into motion, the tragedy of the VSS Enterprise occurred, something that shook the whole of Virgin to its foundations, and unfortunately resulted in many ideas and initiatives being shelved or forgotten. To hear all about this, and a clear reminder of the lack

In this episode we welcome our original co-host, artist Man One, back to launch our new segment Gringo & The Man, where a middle-aged white dude (aka Scott “Sourdough” Power) and an O.G. Latino graffiti artist (aka Man One) talk about living in a world gone loco! This premiere of Gringo & The Man takes NOT REAL ART back to its roots, to a time when Sourdough & Man One just hung out, talking about whatever they want, and having a good time. Nothing is off-limits with Gringo & The Man! GenXers from Chicago and L.A. respectively, Gringo (aka Scott “Sourdough” Power ) & The Man (aka Man One) bring their devil-may-care attitude to discussing contemporary culture. Long time friends, Sourdough and Man One’s banter is what you'd expect from two dudes who grew up in The Eighties. (Warning: Gringo & The Man may not be appropriate for those easily triggered.)In this first episode, the dos amigos discuss the curious name of their segment and wonder if anyone will understand the cultural refer

Although we may see what’s happening on the U.S-Mexican border on the news, how many of us truly understand the plight of people who are stuck there or those who have made it across but live in constant fear? Daniel Garcia is a first-generation Mexican American artist and a 2021 NRA Grant Winner. Along with this, she is also an art educator and just an all-around incredible human being. In today’s episode, we hear about why Daniel is so passionate about the border and immigrant-related issues. Having grown up in California, a liberal state, she was not aware of just how dire things were at the border, and when she found out, she knew she could not stay quiet. We hear about her artistic process and what goes into her producing a piece of her moving work. Daniela also works as a teacher, and she talks about what this is like, particularly during Covid, and how she balances it with her artistic practice. Having a job while you are an artist takes the pressure off what you create, but it also does take time away

On today's show, Sourdough encourage listeners to call in and leave messages on the hotline: 833-668-7325

Have you ever wondered how certain people and companies achieve larger-than-life status? Well, today’s guest has some theories about what legends are made of, with empirical evidence to back them up! International brand consultant Gair Maxwell has worked with some of the world’s most dynamic organizations, including Apple, Caterpillar, NAPA, and Virginia Tech. He has also shared conference stages with some of the world’s biggest business icons, such as Richard Branson and Gene Simmons, delivering 80 to 90 presentations every year with global representation from speaker bureaus in Canada and Mexico. “If you want to create something truly legendary, especially with something as intangible as a brand, there are no guarantees, but you have got to be the one to basically [do what] we were talking about earlier, with Steven Pressfield and the legend of Bagger Vance. You are the golfer, metaphorically. You have got to step up to the tee, and you have got to put the ball in play.” — @Gai

Discover the captivating journey of Sy Smith, a versatile artist renowned for her songwriting, session singing, and acting creds, with a resume featuring backup vocals for legends like Whitney Houston and Sheila E. In this episode, Sy shares her experiences growing up in a culturally-rich environment, exploring different musical styles, and her valuable insights on the ever-evolving realm of performing rights and the significance of adaptability for artists. Don't miss out on learning from Sy's fascinating career, along with invaluable resources and links. Check out the show notes at https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/sy-smith/ now!

Discover the inspiring story of Chris Manak, aka Peanut Butter Wolf, Founder of Stones Throw Records, as he shares his musical journey, the life-changing connection with rapper Charizma, and the steps to creating one of the most respected independent record labels today. Explore the art of balancing creative passion and business prowess, find out how streaming helped save the label, and get valuable tips from Chris's top record label and producer picks. Opportunities are knocking and it's time for you to unlock it all. Don't miss out on the links mentioned in this episode, which can help guide you on your path to musical success. Visit the show notes now at: https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/peanut-butter-wolf/

Welcome to The Conduit, a podcast that brings together motivated artists to share their experiences and pull back the curtain for a firsthand look at life in the arts. Discover the value of learning from industry legends, breaking the rules, and maintaining good relationships in the music business from West Coast rapper, Bootie Brown. In this episode of The Conduit, Bootie shares his background, influential role models, and experiences working with renowned artists like Gorillaz and J Dilla. Don't miss out on the inspiring insights and valuable takeaways from Bootie Brown's dynamic journey in the music industry. Visit the show notes for links and resources mentioned in today's conversation at https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/bootie-brown/. 

Discover the inspiring journeys and valuable insights from Fitz and the Tantrums' Joe Karnes and Jeremy Ruzumna in this fascinating episode of The Conduit Music Podcast. Learn about the importance of defining your own style, the challenges and rewards of being in a band, and how to find balance in the ever-changing music industry. Don't miss out on their expert advice on navigating record deals, maintaining professionalism, and their experiences working with renowned artists such as Macy Gray and Alanis Morissette. Visit https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/fitz-and-the-tantrums/ for the complete show notes, links, and more resources discussed in this episode!

Discover the inspiring journey of DJ Nu-Mark, from his humble beginnings as a DJ in house parties to creating music for film and TV, and how his unique combination of rhythms, humor, and dedication led to Jurassic 5's success. Delve into the music-making process and valuable lessons Nu-Mark brings from his drumming and school band experiences into his turntable performances. Visit the show notes to access essential links and resources about his Zodiac Tracks series, collaboration with industry greats, and his favorite producers through the ages. Don't miss out on this wealth of knowledge and behind-the-scenes insights by checking out the show notes now:  https://www.theconduitmusicpodcast.com/dj-nu-mark/

“I was never like all these acting kids, who take everything so seriously, if I came out the audition room I just stopped focussing on the audition, I was just on to the next fun thing of the day.” — @MilesBrown [0:41:45]We have a pair of extra special guests on today's show! First off, founding member of cult-favorite hip hop group Lootpack, rapper and father, Jack "Wildchild" Brown, who is joins us alongside his son, actor, dancer, rapper, and star of the hit TV show Black-ish, Miles Brown! We get to have a fascinating chat with these two amazing creators and performers, about their roots in Oxnard, growing up with music and art, and the winding journey of life.Miles and Jack take us through the exciting trajectory that Miles has been on, appearing on Ellen and landing a role on Black-ish in 2014, the amazing run the show has been up until this point with its eighth and final season, the music both of our guests have been recently working on, and so much more. With such warm, o

Today, we welcome another one of our six 2021 NOT REAL ART Grant for Artists winners, the one and only Carmen Mardónez, hailing from Chile. Carmen is a fiber artist living in Los Angeles, California, whose work explores an imagery of rebellion and freedom through natural landscapes saturated with lights and colors. She employs a characteristically wild freestyle embroidery method combined with other traditional knitting techniques to create sculptural works using materials ranging from canvas to discarded objects and surfaces, such as lemon bags, old t-shirts, and more recently, castoff bed sheets and pillows. In this episode, you’ll learn about the work that Carmen has done with incarcerated women in Chile and how she was impacted by those experiences. She also shares what she loves about her home country, what it was like growing up in an ‘artsy’ family in Santiago, and her decision to be a stay-at-home mom while also pursuing a career as a professional artist. We also touch on Carmen’s approach to self-car

When we hear the term, “it runs in the family,” it usually means some negative behavior trait, a genetic disease, or a vice but, in the Pelayo family, the main trait that runs through this family is artistic talent. If you’ve ever heard the idiom, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” today’s guests are the perfect case study for that! We are blessed today to welcome father and son, Antonio and Isaac Pelayo to the show. Antonio has witnessed Isaac growing into a successful and dynamic artist that is following in his father’s footsteps, and that is part of the story that they share in today’s episode. Antonio is an established artist, illustrator, and event producer who focuses on the Latino community of Southern California. He is also one of the last true inkers at the Walt Disney Animation Studios Ink and Paint Department. Acquiring over 100k followers on social media in the last few years, Isaac is a rising star illuminating his own path as a fine artist, creative musicia

Today’s guest on the Not Real Art Podcast is John Chang, one of our six 2021 Not Real Art Grant winners. John is a Chinese-American multidisciplinary artist from Shanghai who considers himself a spiritual escapist. His work is rich and deep, layering language and image to construct and reconstruct meaning, memory, and intention. In this episode, John shares his process of searching for new meanings in a new world, one where it has become increasingly important for artists to embrace digital mediums and utilize the power of art to facilitate empathy. In the wake of COVID-19 and waves of racially motivated violence against Black and Asian people of color in the US, John emphasizes the importance of communication and creating work that is open to interpretation, as well as how he reconstructs memory and meaning through collage using found materials such as newspapers. He also speaks candidly about the challenges he has faced since emigrating to the US, from cultural and physical homelessness to xenophobia, and h

Today’s guest is the amazing Natalia Villanueva Linares, one of our 2021 NRA grant winners! Natalia hails from Peru and France and is now residing in Chicago. She is an installation and performance artist specializing in space understanding. Our conversation begins with Natalia describing a decade long-project she has been working on involving revamping a church in Illinois and making it a cultural center hosting community artworks and an international residency program. From there we hear more about Natalia’s work and what her concerns with space understanding mean, where she talks about how she tries to connect people, spaces, culture, and history through her multimedia artworks. We also hear about another of Natalia’s powerful and sublime works today, a traveling participatory performance piece called Soulutions, where she collaboratively creates healing potions with audiences around the world. In this conversation, we also get into Natalia’s self-care practices involving her love of colorful foods, the di