Yes, these are complicated times. In a weird way, this Radio Juxtapoz podcast conversation marks a turning point in perhaps human history. A few weeks back, as coronavirus was just entering the American landscape and already taking hold in Europe and Asia, we went to a 72nd floor on the tip of Manhattan to the Anchor offices to record a podcast with Juxtapoz Spring 2020 cover artist, Ana Benaroya.
Perhaps it's fitting? Benaroya is part of a new generation of painters that is redefining the gallery space with figuration and narrative storytelling that is a breath of fresh air in contemporary art. Her influences include cartoons and zine culture, but she is also working under the inspiration of some of the giants of the art world: Nicole Eisenman, Tom of Finland, Keith Haring, Robert Colescott, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Henri Matisse, to name a few. But her aesthetic is her own, and her newest solo show at Richard Heller Gallery in Santa Monica is a unique combination of a world she has created that combines music, history, fantasy, sexuality and play all in one show.
In this conversation, Radio Juxtapoz hosts Doug Gillen and Evan Pricco talk to Benaroya about her experiences between art school and grad school, what she had to relearn at Yale, about being a young gay artist in context with art history, her love of Celine Dion and how she wants to be part of the art historical lexicon.
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The Radio Juxtapoz podcast is hosted by FIFTH WALL TV's Doug Gillen and Juxtapoz editor, Evan Pricco. Episode 039 was recorded live in New York City at the Anchor/Spotify offices, March 4, 2020. Thank you to Jessica Angeles from the Anchor/Spotify team for the support.
Purchase the Spring 2020 issue here.
