Today we’d like to introduce you to Oliver Sanchez.
Oliver, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I’m a multi-disciplinary artist based in Miami. As a Cuban- American refugee, I moved to NYC with my brother Adolfo where we participated in the early 1980‘s East Village artistic era. Our work was recently included in the MoMA – Club 57 Retrospective in 2017. I am a skilled maker working closely with established artists on sculptural fabrications. Collaborators include Keith Haring, Kenny Scharf, Daniel Arsham, R&R Studios and many others. I am also the founding director of Swampspace in the Miami Design District, an alternative arts venue with over 80 cultural events since 2005. Last year, I had a major solo exhibition at the Miami Beach Regional Public Library. Currently, I’m mentoring and painting a giant wall mural with emerging artist Ruth Burotte. I have a passion for poking fun at the art world, environmental concerns, uplifting human dignity, and having good times with friends of every stripes.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
Art has been a major part of my life since forever having many loving artists in my family tree. Growing up, I did not set out to be a conduit for others, but as coincidence is fate, I have been in the company of some of the very best and wildest artist. From Jean-Michel Basquiat and Haring to Arsham and Bhakti Baxter. It is truly humbling to collaborate with such unique originators. In my artistic practice, there is a vast arsenal of mediums for visual arts expression and to a limited extent, the performing arts. One could say my goal as a full-time artist is to live the example for others so that there may be a greater understanding of civic principals, critical thought, and celebration of life. My range of engagement in the industry goes from the elitist museums of investment art market to the graffiti and street art phenomena of global mass culture appeal. The two, like oil and vinegar, make for an interesting dressing. I’m old now, so some people call me the ArtFather, OG Papichulo and even a Hero as reported on the nightly news recently. But the truth is I’m just Oliver from Swampspace.
How can artists connect with other artists?
Truth be told, today artist grow on trees. The question is when you’re done emerging, then what?
My advice to disenfranchised artists struggling in the margins is that your relevancy should not be determined by others, though encouragement and sales do help.
Weird that there is a market for the $50 sidewalk art fair painting. And there is a market for the $50,000 blue chip Basel art. But sadly there is little real support for everything else in between.
Inclusion in the elusive and insular art world of speculative investment art is determined not so much by the quality of your work but by your social connections. In other words, for those jockeying for that curatorial wink or gallery representation, Luck Trumps Talent.
In today’s new gilded age of foundational support via grants and government art, there is a trend toward mediocrity art that says little other than supporting the acceptable topics of discussion such as climate change, post-colonialism, academic theory, and other such jingoistic linguistic semantics. If your art is downright subversive and irreverent, you’re on the right track to being a classic starving artist.
Finally, my advice is, hire a good grant writer, learn to be an arts administrator, and dive into the bayou of the non-profit industrial complex.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
Samples of my work are available on the internet and by visiting my studio. To support my efforts, please support Swampspace Gallery via sponsorship contributions, brand partnership, and purchase of artworks on display regularly. I am glad to donate my art for good causes that benefit the underserved and disadvantage.
Contact Info:
- Address: Oliver Sanchez Studio
Swampspace
Miami Design District
3940 N. Miami Avenue, Miami, FL 33127 - Website: http://swampspace.blogspot.com/
- Email: swampstyle@gmail.com
- Instagram: OLIVERSWAMPCHEZ
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swampspace/?ref=bookmarks
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/swampspace
- Other: http://cargocollective.com/olisan
Image Credit:
Monica McGivern
Getting in touch: VoyageMIA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition, please let us know here.
Atomik
July 12, 2019 at 2:45 pm
Yeeeeeeeeeee. Oliver rocks! Swamp crew.