Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelica Clyman.
Hi Angelica, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in South Florida, and so much of my work is informed by my history here. I’ve watched dramatic changes transform our landscape in a short period of time, creating a rapidly-shifting reality that is so different from my childhood home and the stories my parents shared with me growing up. My artistic practice involves researching the previous lives of South Florida spaces and creating work that gives the memories a place to live on. I received my BFA from New World School of the Arts in downtown Miami and my MFA from Florida International University. I’ve been teaching studio art at Broward College for fourteen years and directing the Rosemary Duffy Larson Gallery for nearly a decade.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think it’s rarely an easy road when you’re following your artistic passions. It’s already a balancing act between personal commitments and career, but once you add making time to create artwork and improve your skills while pursuing opportunities to show your work and advance your art practice, it truly is a lot! Just like in other aspects of life, there are lots of highs and lows to this artistic journey – and like any other artist, I’ve faced a lot of rejection, but perseverance is key. I tell my students you have to keep putting your work out there, regardless of the response, and keep pushing yourself to create the most authentically honest work you can, and you will eventually find your audience. Sometimes it’s hard to take your own advice, but I have found this to be true. I am still traveling down this bumpy road – I think as an artist you never really reach that final destination, but that means you will never run out of things to do, and you will never be bored! There is always something beckoning you on the horizon.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My passion is learning about the history of seemingly mundane places and illustrating those impressions through my work. Although I have a background in both painting and sculpture, for a long time I was just painting these places as existing as both past and present. Recently I’ve been expanding my work to include both two-dimensional and three-dimensional elements in small installations, including ephemera I’ve collected from these places. I am interested primarily in abandoned places, and defunct retail, restaurants, and entertainment, but if I hear the story behind any variety of place I am easily engrossed! My newest obsessions are forgotten roadside attractions from the era before Disney World forever changed Florida’s tourist landscape. Although I love making work about the places I grew up with that are no more, I am also fascinated with the places I never met, the places that were a part of my home before I existed. I am proud to share what I’ve learned about a place’s history with others, and I also am honored when someone recognizes a place depicted in my work and shares their memories with me.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I am so fortunate to have so many people in my life that believe in my work and have helped me work towards my goals. My parents have supported me from the beginning, and they are a great source for Florida memories! My husband, Grant, is always ready to explore an abandoned place with me, help me construct part of a piece, or bounce ideas off of. My friends are also a part of my adventures, collecting reference photos with me or gifting me old Florida ephemera – so shout out to Nicole and Michelle! I’ve had wonderful professors in college that kept me on my path and my talented colleagues at Broward College are an amazing art community. I also have some long-time artist friends I’ve met along the way that I know I can always turn to – and I’ve been so pleased to recently meet new artist friends at openings that have been so supportive and inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.angelicaclyman.com
- Instagram: @angelclyman
