))
S2 Ep845: ART & INSPIRATION w/Brenda McMahon + Artist/Educator Natalie Velez
Manage episode 490350683 series 3317264
Content provided by Audioboom and Radio St. Pete. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Audioboom and Radio St. Pete or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
In this episode of Art & Inspiration, host Brenda McMahon talks with Artist and Educator, Natalie Velez. They explore how ART CONNECTS — educates and questions cultural and political boundaries - and brings complex political discussions out of
traditional thought paths opening up possibilities not otherwise seen.
**Velez was born and educated in St. Petersburg RUSSIA — and now lives and works in St. Petersburg, Florida. She is a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts; a PHD student specializing in PHILOSOPHY & AESTHETICS IN VISUAL ARTS and an Artist. She shares her journey and talks about how she began exploring the idea of ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS as a RESPONSE to political upheaval, —- and then moved cultural dialogues further in a way that traditional communications does not.
**In her talks about Art as a source for shifting dialogues, she lectures on the intersection of art and political upheaval NOT TO CHANGE IDEAS, but to OPEN UP news ways of discussion and reaching across to the other side. I like what you say, RESISTANCE is not about confrontation or ideology but about FLUIDITY, HUMAN DIGNITY AND REJECTING THE DEHUMANIZATION OF OTHERS
**The artist/educator is currently part of a joint art show with Fiber Artist Sam Hammer entitled CONVERSATIONS. Says Velez: " There is obviously a lot of turmoil in the United States right now about the dismantling of our democratic principles. At BMG we have an exhibition WE THE PEOPLE - which is much like you’re discussing, calling artists to participate in the cultural conversation about what we’re seeing… As you say, the poetic visuals, be they angry, funny, poignant or sincere, reach people differently then the red & blue (as in our case) of the current discourse. I love your phase - NOT ABOUT CONFRONTING IDEOLOGY, BUT about dignity, fluidity and humanity (or rejecting dehumanization). Those ideals align with my personal intention in this show and as a human being in the world. This conversation was so powerful not for what it said, that was in large part up for personal interpretation —- but for what it made the viewer FEEL. The artists’ angst was palpable - and later - so was the release - in what is a painful current circumstance still completely underway."
LEARN MORE about Natalie Velez here
LISTEN to all Arts & Inspiration Podcasts w/Brenda McMahon here.
CURRENT EXHIBIT @Brenda McMahon Gallery Truth & Freedom with Karel Garcia, a dynamic solo exhibition by our featured artist this Pride Month. García's surrealist works serve as an act of reclamation— reclaiming his voice, identity, and the right to be seen without fear. He utilizes a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, charcoal, India ink, and gouache, and his creative process is deeply intuitive. July 1-August 30 We The People.
Brenda McMahon Gallery 2901 Beach Blvd S. #104 Gulfport, FL 33707
Gallery - 727-454-0453 Brenda's Studio - 518.692.7742
HOURS Sunday: 11-4 Monday - Thursday: 11-6 Friday & Saturday: 11-8
Brenda McMahon Gallery was Voted BEST Independent Art Gallery by St. Pete Life Magazine, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.
traditional thought paths opening up possibilities not otherwise seen.
**Velez was born and educated in St. Petersburg RUSSIA — and now lives and works in St. Petersburg, Florida. She is a docent at the Museum of Fine Arts; a PHD student specializing in PHILOSOPHY & AESTHETICS IN VISUAL ARTS and an Artist. She shares her journey and talks about how she began exploring the idea of ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS as a RESPONSE to political upheaval, —- and then moved cultural dialogues further in a way that traditional communications does not.
**In her talks about Art as a source for shifting dialogues, she lectures on the intersection of art and political upheaval NOT TO CHANGE IDEAS, but to OPEN UP news ways of discussion and reaching across to the other side. I like what you say, RESISTANCE is not about confrontation or ideology but about FLUIDITY, HUMAN DIGNITY AND REJECTING THE DEHUMANIZATION OF OTHERS
**The artist/educator is currently part of a joint art show with Fiber Artist Sam Hammer entitled CONVERSATIONS. Says Velez: " There is obviously a lot of turmoil in the United States right now about the dismantling of our democratic principles. At BMG we have an exhibition WE THE PEOPLE - which is much like you’re discussing, calling artists to participate in the cultural conversation about what we’re seeing… As you say, the poetic visuals, be they angry, funny, poignant or sincere, reach people differently then the red & blue (as in our case) of the current discourse. I love your phase - NOT ABOUT CONFRONTING IDEOLOGY, BUT about dignity, fluidity and humanity (or rejecting dehumanization). Those ideals align with my personal intention in this show and as a human being in the world. This conversation was so powerful not for what it said, that was in large part up for personal interpretation —- but for what it made the viewer FEEL. The artists’ angst was palpable - and later - so was the release - in what is a painful current circumstance still completely underway."
LEARN MORE about Natalie Velez here
LISTEN to all Arts & Inspiration Podcasts w/Brenda McMahon here.
CURRENT EXHIBIT @Brenda McMahon Gallery Truth & Freedom with Karel Garcia, a dynamic solo exhibition by our featured artist this Pride Month. García's surrealist works serve as an act of reclamation— reclaiming his voice, identity, and the right to be seen without fear. He utilizes a variety of mediums, including oil, acrylic, charcoal, India ink, and gouache, and his creative process is deeply intuitive. July 1-August 30 We The People.
Brenda McMahon Gallery 2901 Beach Blvd S. #104 Gulfport, FL 33707
Gallery - 727-454-0453 Brenda's Studio - 518.692.7742
HOURS Sunday: 11-4 Monday - Thursday: 11-6 Friday & Saturday: 11-8
Brenda McMahon Gallery was Voted BEST Independent Art Gallery by St. Pete Life Magazine, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.
9330 episodes
Share
