In this episode of the Seeing series, Carrie chats with Rashid Johnson, a Brooklyn-based contemporary artist.

With an innovative blend of multimedia techniques and a profound exploration of identity, history, and cultural memory, Johnson has redefined boundaries, glass ceilings and so much more. From his iconic "Anxious Men" series to his immersive installations exploring themes of race, belonging, and the human condition, Johnson's work challenges viewers to confront uncomfortable truths and engage in critical dialogue.

From Carrie:

"I've known Rashid Johnson for almost 20 years. We did a show together when we were babies. So sitting down with him after all this time, it's not easy. When you know someone so well, it's hard to do the whole like professional interview thing. But what I so loved about this particular conversation is what dawned on me as I sat with him. And maybe this seems fairly obvious, but it's the evolution in Rashid's work, or project as he calls it, that's mind blowing. He's always centered what he does on his identity as a black man. But the evolution of his work is what makes it noteworthy and deserving of the canon. Rashid has moved from self or direct representation in his photography, which I do still love, to these more abstracted realities and emotions. The work has become so much more universal as a result. But what I really love about it is that the work has grown with him through anxiety and fatherhood and husbanding and even his great success. And as a result, it's always of this moment. It's not nostalgic. It's so very present. And that's likely what's made him so successful. And you see this in his most recent painting. There's an undoing in this latest series. A corporeality. Skeletons exposed. Raw. Open. I feel so of this time and they brought me to my knees."

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast.

Liked what you heard? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art.

If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram, @watchseenart.

About the Seeing Series

The Seeing Series gets to the heart of what makes an artist tick. By always searching for the motivating truth behind an artist’s practice, we give viewers insider access to some of the most exciting artists in the world, all in a down-to-earth, honest way.

From established artists like Rashid Johnson to emerging stars like Simonette Quamina, we speak to the good and the great of the artworld, ultimately creating an accurate portrait of how creatives survive, flourish and function today.

In this episode of the Have You Seen? series, Carrie chats with Storm Tharp, a Portland, Oregon based painter and sculptor.

Storm builds his strange and beautiful characters by first drawing contours on the page with water. Inspired by the technique of Japanese calligraphy, the application of ink is a parallel of the mind’s movements, its unexpected focuses and elisions. As with any portrait, his works are signs pointing to a void: the subject itself, physically absent, disappearing before our very eyes.

From Carrie:

"When I spoke with Storm, he explained how he mixes painting, drawing, and sculpture to create these hauntingly beautiful portraits. For example, “Portrait of Flora” is both delicate and unsettling. The fragmented features and deep eyes tell a story of vulnerability and resilience. His art stays with you, balancing control and chaos in such a memorable way."

Explore Storm's work.

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast. Liked what you heard? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content, by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art.

Connect with us between episodes on Instagram, @watchseenart.

About the Have You Seen? series:

The ⁠Have You Seen? Series⁠ is all about talking to emerging and mid-career artists about their journey to now.

Curious about how an artist got to where they are or indeed why they chose art in the first place? Then this series is for you. Join us as we speak to emerging and mid-career artists across the globe. Don’t worry, there’s no hiding behind art speak here, or pretending that being an artist is a bowl of cherries. We’re here to hear it all, straight from the source.

In this episode of the Seeing series, Carrie chats with Naama Tsabar, a Brooklyn-based installation and performance artist.

Naama is a boundary-pushing artist known for challenging conventions and pushing the limits of what art can be. She stands alongside icons of performance art (think Yoko Ono, Carolee Schneemann, and Marina Abramović), bringing a fresh, urgent energy to performance art. Her work is raw, authentic, and totally rock and roll. Forget the somber image of traditional performance art. Naama’s playful, spontaneous approach, especially her signature style of dismantling electric guitars, invites viewers into a visceral, emotional experience.

From Carrie:

"In our interview, we dove into some of my passions—Luce Irigaray, sound art (I wrote my master’s thesis on it), and by the end, I was absolutely hooked. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and electrified by Naama Tsabar—a true rock star of the performance art world."

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast.

Liked what you heard? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art.

If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram, @watchseenart.

About the Seeing Series

The Seeing Series gets to the heart of what makes an artist tick. By always searching for the motivating truth behind an artist’s practice, we give viewers insider access to some of the most exciting artists in the world, all in a down-to-earth, honest way.

From established artists like Rashid Johnson to emerging stars like Simonette Quamina, we speak to the good and the great of the artworld, ultimately creating an accurate portrait of how creatives survive, flourish and function today.

In the first episode of the Have You Seen? series, Carrie chats with Alexis Nunnelly, a visual artist and painted based in Queens, NYC.

Inspired by the sensualities and non-linear timelines of nature, Alexis' paintings are bold and powerful color showcases in acrylic and oil images. Each created from collages of lush landscapes and surreal worlds all cradling sensual, femme figures. Nodding to romantic masters by studying their lyrical compositions — she reimagines timeless narratives using the nuances of her personal experiences.

From Carrie:

"In our chat, Alexis took me into her world where digital and traditional art blend to create these amazing, dreamlike scenes. Take her piece “Cosmic Reverie” – it’s like stepping into a dream. You see a figure floating in a starry sky, surrounded by swirling galaxies. It’s peaceful and full of wonder. Her imagination really knows how to captivate and surprise!"

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast.

Liked what you hear? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content, by becoming a member of Seen at ⁠seen.art⁠.

If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram. @⁠watchseenart⁠.

About the Have You Seen? Series:

The Have You Seen? Series is all about talking to emerging and mid-career artists about their journey to now.

Curious about how an artist got to where they are or indeed why they chose art in the first place? Then this series is for you. Join us as we speak to emerging and mid-career artists across the globe. Don’t worry, there’s no hiding behind art speak here, or pretending that being an artist is a bowl of cherries. We’re here to hear it all, straight from the source.

In the first episode of the Seeing series, Carrie chats with Leonardo Drew, a contemporary artist based in Brooklyn, New York.

Leonardo is known for creating reflective abstract sculptural works that play upon the dystopic tension between order and chaos. Recalling Post Minimalist sculpture that alludes to America’s industrial past, as well as the plight of African Americans throughout U.S. history. One could find many meanings in his work, but ultimately the cyclical nature of life and decay can be seen in his grids of transformed raw material to resemble and articulate entropy and a visual erosion of time.

From Carrie:

"Leonardo’s installations and sculptures break artistic boundaries, reminiscent of Picasso's early realism. Like Picasso, Leonardo broke molds early on, catching the attention of Marvel and DC Comics as a teenager.

He is dedicated to his art in a way that I’ve seldom seen in my 20 year career. He himself says, he’s addict to making art, not substances - driving him to create without bounds. Our interview explores the stories and inspirations behind his work, revealing an unwaveringly authentic artist who deserves household recognition. Leonardo Drew embodies creativity and resilience, firmly establishing himself in the artistic canon."

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast.

Liked what you hear? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content, by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art.

If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram. @watchseenart.

Welcome to Seen - where the art world meets the real world.

Every two weeks, we sit down with emerging and established artists, to offer a genuine glimpse into their lives and minds. All in an authentic and totally straightforward manner.

Carrie Scott is your host. With two decades of experience as a curator and art historian, she firmly believes in the transformative power of art.

If it's Seen.