VISHAN SEENATH NEW ARTIST AT THE BOYNTON BEACH ARTS DISTRICT by Jan Engoren
ON THE SPOTVISHAN SEENATH
■Age 30 ■He graduated from Florida State University in 2008 and West Dean College in 2012, earned his master’s of fine arts in painting and drawing from the University of Sussex, England, 2012. ■Of Indian descent, Seenath was born in the United States to par- ents from Trinidad.
How did you come to the Boynton Beach
Arts District?
I had been to events at BBAD and got to know
Rolando Chang Barrero, the founder of the Arts
District. I was teaching art in a middle school and
when my contract was up, I decided to use the
time to create and work on my art.
What is your style?
It’s a mixture of everything I’ve learned, incor-
porating Western-style art and incorporating
Asian-influenced aesthetics, including cultural in-
fluences from Indian, Thai and Buddhist artwork.
I also work in pen and ink and prefer to paint with
acrylics.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I study Indian art from the past and incorpo-
rate its influences into my work, focusing on is-
sues such as racism and colonialism that affect
me and other minorities. Much of my work is po-
litical in nature, dealing with social issues, factory
and migrant workers, social consciousness and
my experiences in cross-cultural dating.
What do you want to achieve with your art?
I want to show people a different perspective,
to see something from another’s perspective. If
you can do this through art, that’s what makes it
great. Open a window into another’s reality.
Are you disciplined in your art practice?
No. Distractions take over. It goes in cycles. I
can paint and draw frenetically, then nothing,
while I wait for inspiration to hit.
What is your creative process like?
I spend time looking back at my old work and
sketchbooks to give me new ideas. I’m re-
imagining old work in new contexts, and spend-
ing time in self-reflection. I use a computer to do
preliminary drawings. Then I print them and use
carbon paper to trace the images onto the canvas.
It’s exacting work.
What accomplishment are you most proud
of?
Getting through graduate school. It’s one of
the toughest things I’ve ever done. It’s changed
my outlook. I don’t have the same inhibitions I
had before. I channel my strongest ideas into my
work and see what happens. I’ve created some
controversy with my work and have gotten a
strong response from the public. I challenged
people’s ideas and preconceived notions and, in
the process, have grown both personally and ar-
tistically.
What did you want to be growing up?
A geneticist or biomedical engineer. I started
those studies at FSU before I switched to art.
Whose work do you admire?
I love the work of Pakistani artist Shahzia
Sikander, an expert in Indo-Persian miniature
painting. I met her at the Norton Museum of Art
last year and she is one of the first South Asian
artists to contemporize Indian art, combining
Muslim imagery and Indian themes.
What quality do you value most in yourself?
I’m curious about everything. I go beyond the
superficial and try to learn as much as possible.
I’m curious about the science and physics of
everything.
The Boynton Beach Art District celebrates 5 years of art programming,
community outreach, art-walks, concerts, open mic nights,
fine art exhibitions and more with a day full of fun, food, and frolic!
Golden Art and Music Fest
presents DUOVER LIVE IN CONCERT! 1 PM
RSVP On Facebook _______________ ActivistArtistA Bay Gates Project Inspiring Murals
11 Artists come together to produce murals based on
quotes that have influenced their creative process!
Artists:
Eduardo Mendieta, Ripes, Kelcie McQuaid, Pascual Bartolo, Chris Acevedo, Renda Writer, Jonathan Fields, Patricia Awapara, Melissa Martinez, Marcos Conde, and Dalhia Patrice Perryman.
Look at Last Years Project
________________
The First AERO ART Project
Sponsored byDelray Drone and Talking off the Wall RSVP On Facebook
Artists, Thomas McAvoy, Michael Kupillas, Pascal Doytier and Rolando Chang Barrero present the first AeroArt Project. Using a DJI Phantom 3 Professional Drone.Initiating the use of a drone as a tool for the creative process all are invited to participate in the fun and exciting new art form.
The intention is to inspire our youth to run with this idea and take it to new heights- literally!
Dress appropriate if you'd like to join us...it may get messy!
Fun Level: Very Very High!
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Hearts of Gold:Rug Art Making Project A hands on project for adults and children! RSVP On Facebook
Things to do in Boynton Beach: September-October 2015
Thursday, September 24, 2015 | 6-10 PM
The BBAD Monthly Art Walk and Open Mic Night September 24, 2015
Enjoy live music, fine art, mingle with the resident artist, take a tour of the ActivistArtistA Bay Gates Murals, and more. Free and family friendly environment.
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Friday, Sept. 25 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Avenue of the Arts reception, Civic Center
You are cordially invited to the Avenue of the Artsopening reception
Sponsored by Desjardins Bank
It will be held in the Civic Center located at 128 East Ocean Avenue.
Meet the Artists
Tour 11 Newly Installed Sculptures
Free Tours on Cycle Party
Refreshments sponsored by The Secret Garden Cafe
RSVP by September 18, 2015 email DurganJ@bbfl.us or call 561.742.6010.
Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11, 2015 | 1-6 PM
What leading artists and local students as the paint their murals during the annual
Featured Artists: Renda Writer, Kelcie McQuaid, Eduardo Mendieta, Patricia Awapara
and others
This year's theme: Inspiring Quotes
Rolando Chang Barrero, Curator BoyntonBeachArtDistrict@gmail.com or 786-521-1199 Facebook: Boynton Beach Art District ActivistArtistA Bay Gates Project Twitter: @ActivistArtistA Instagram: ActivistArtistA
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Sunday, October 11, 2015 | 1-6 PM
The Boynton Beach Art District is Celebrating it's Anniversary!
Live Painting + Art + Music + Dance + Food + Festivities
Spend the afternoon at The Boynton Beach Art District!
Walking Tours of the Bay Gates Project
Exhibitions of works by resident artists.
Special Live Drone Presentation!
Catch the Bean Scene here: Raw and Veggie Eats and Treats
Special Performance by
DUOVER!
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Thursday, October 15 - 6-9pm.
"Appetite For Art" Ralph Papa’s 1st viewing - New European Plein Air Artwork.
For more info Contact:
Debby Coles-Dobay, Public Arts Manager
City Manager's Office, Art in Public Places
City of Boynton Beach
100 E. Boynton Beach Blvd. | Boynton Beach, Florida 33435
The Armory galleries will be open Monday through Friday 9 am - 5 pm and Saturday 9 am through 4 pm
AND
THE ARMORY ANNEX GALLERY
1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460
The Annex Gallery will be open Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 11 am – 6 pm and Friday, 11 am – 8 pm
Reception - Armory Art Center
Friday, Oct 2nd, 2015 - 6:00 pmthrough 8:00 pm
THE ARMORY ART CENTER
1700 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Reception - Annex Gallery
Friday, Oct 23rd, 2015 - 6:00 pmthrough 8:00 pm
THE ARMORY ANNEX GALLERY
1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460
FIRST SPECIAL EVENT START Artists/Curator Talk - Armory Art Center
Friday, Oct 9th, 2015 - 6:00 pmthrough 8:00pm
THE ARMORY ANNEX GALLERY
1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33460
FIRST SPECIAL EVENT END SECOND SPECIAL EVENT START Artists/Curator Talk - Annex Gallery
Friday, Oct 16th, 2015 - 6:00 pmthrough 8:00pm
THE ARMORY ART CENTER
1700 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Event Description:
Artists of Art Salon: A Collective Dialogue will exhibit the works of 58 artists, from Miami to Martin Counties, all of whom have been presenters over the last three years at Elle Schorr’s Art Salons. The works will fill three galleries at both the Armory Art Center in West Palm Beach and the newly renovated, mural covered Armory Annex Gallery in Lake Worth.
Paintings, sculptures, and installations, using a wide variety of mixed media, and a video lounge (in Lake Worth), will address a breadth of social, cultural, and aesthetic concerns. The works will be grouped into three themes: “The Individual” in Greenfield Gallery, “The World” in East Gallery, both in West Palm Beach, and “Beyond” in the Armory Annex Gallery in Lake Worth.
Art Salons at the Armory have contributed to the understanding of contemporary art practices in South Florida since March, 2012. Presentations have been given by artists, writers, curators, gallerists, and collectors about their work, the work of well-known artists, and about professional artists’ development. The Armory Art Center is honoring the Art Salons with an exhibition this October, curated by Elle Schorr, founder and organizer of the Art Salons at the Armory.
Special Instructions:
Parking available at both locations. Admission is free.
Capturing the dynamism of contemporary art and its enormous impact on popular culture, ACT/ART provides a forum for artists and the public to engage in acts of creative expression–acts of art–that generate awareness, provoke dialogue, change perception, and evoke positive change around important social and public policy issues.
ACT/ART believes that all people are capable of creative expression, and that an act of art can be found in any public space or forum–in a gallery, on the street, or on social media. It can be a drawing or a photo, a performance or a hashtag. ACT/ART defines an act of art by one simple criterion: that it creates awareness in order to instigate positive and lasting social change.
ACT/ART is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that relies on contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to support the development and presentation of our temporary exhibitions and outreach programs.
Sharpen your pencils!
The Cultural Council Of Palm Beach is requesting your nominations for the 2016 Muse Awards! Who will you honor this year?
The Muse Awards honor outstanding individuals and organizations for their contributions to art and culture in Palm Beach County.
The Muse Award serves as a wonderful way of recognizing the dedicated arts leaders and volunteers in our community who are devoted to the arts. Funds raised from the gala directly affect the lives of Palm Beach County students by ensuring that they are exposed to art and culture.
This year’s theme of “Everything Old is New Again” will explore the transition of our arts and cultural heritage in Palm Beach County from the 1900s to present day. It will also explore how art forms have been influenced by the changing times and the convergence of traditional and contemporary styles.
Call for Nominations
Muse Award recipients will be chosen through a competitive nomination process. Each nomination will be reviewed and scored by judges who are artists, community leaders, past recipients and Cultural Council board members. Award recipients will be announced prior to the event. The deadline for nominations is Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 5 p.m..
Here's a bit about the exhibition in case you missed it......
The Girls' School was a multimedia fine art exhibition exploring the aggregate experiences of 5 artists. A four part interdisciplinary curriculum which included visual art, spoken work, music, and open mic, is an invitation to the community to look beneath the surface of what is called "gender politics" and to actively engage in the dialogue.
Curator, Rolando Chang Barrero of ActivistArtistA Gallery, provides the platform for featured artists include Alana DaCosta, Allison Kotzig, Dianne Rosenberg, Niki Lopez and Abby Funk to
to share their collective experiences as women, as artists, as powerful advocates against the disregard of genders, but more importantly as human beings.
This event marked the first of it's kind in the arts, the inclusion of trans-gender challenges for visibility in the arts and in our community.
Gender is not just a biological definition: it also encompasses the idea of roles and identity in the community.
The question that ran through this exhibit was, "Are we are still falling short of the goal of true equality in today’s politically charged climate?"
The exhibition which set the stage for this dialogue provided an "open mic," for all to participate.
RU Camp's latest road trip landed at the Boynton Beach Art District for a hands on experiential program that included a studio visit with Rolando Chang Barrero and an opportunity to paint alongside graffiti artists and muralist, RIPES and Mayer1 on their newest collaboration at the ActivistArtistA Bay Gates Project located at the Boynton Beach Art District. Over 20 excited children and volunteer adults zig zaged the state of Florida gathering members of the RU Camp for a dynamic and life affirming field trip! The celebration of life, love, and community was orchestrated by Ruben Saldaña and his volunteer staff of RU Camp. Ruben Saldaña started the 100% volunteer camp as a result of his own experiences as youth that led him to 19 years of gang related activities which ultimately landed him in the prison system. He does not want this for the youth of today. Rounding up children, mom's, and of course a few cars Ruben sets his sights on places that kids can have experiential opportunity together and celebrate their lives. From music to martial arts the trip exposes the children to a bright and broad horizon full of activities and memories to share for years. After their tour of of the WPA inspired murals at BBAD the children were asked why did they thought they deserved this opportunity they answered----"We're Perfect, Whole, and Complete!"
Yes, they are! RU Camp's tagline "For Our Rising Troubled Youth," states it clearly, it is a program with a vision for the increasing number of troubled youth that result from poverty: A vision of joy, of laughter, and most of all community.
See more pictures of the trip here: Pictures of ActivistArtistA Bay Gates Project
Are you interested in visiting the Boynton Beach Art District?
Contact: Rolando Chang Barrero at BoyntonBeachArtDistrict@Gmail.com
Want to find out more about RU Camp?
Contact: Ruben Saldaña at 305rubeast@gmail.com
