Today we’d like to introduce you to Odessa Glaza.
Odessa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in a colorful house with a limited collection of VHS tapes.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I make the things I’m interested in. The things I make tend to be the result of repetition. I started out drawing, because it was the most accessible and approachable medium I had growing up and throughout school. When I got to college and had the ability to explore more mediums and methods of making, I found puppets and print; they were a natural evolution of my interests in storytelling and characters. Pieces that make people laugh or pause are what I find to be the most successful. In my writing and visual work, I’m interested in humor and absurdity, as well as how these details are able to transform a narrative or an image. Much of my current making is a result of problem solving and finding solutions to producing more involved print work within the limited scope of my apartment kitchen. My “studio” is a place where stamps, stencils, photos, produce, and puppet pieces all come together.
Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
I can’t speak for all artists, but I think there is still a lingering stigma related to artists and notions of success and happiness. I wouldn’t say life has become easier for artists, although I will say the internet seems to be changing the game a bit. A platform to share and view art and ideas is something I see as a great tool in creating a community of makers that would have otherwise not existed. Making art a visible aspect of a city and urban environment is an important step in integrating art into conceptions of the everyday. The idea that art is something that lives in galleries and is hung on walls is one that I think is ultimately detrimental. Art is so much more democratic and expansive, the more familiar people become with different forms and expressions of art, the more that word can open up and exist within the minds of the public and the larger culture. The simple solution I’m suggesting is just to allow the city to become more of a public gallery, to encourage people to fill empty spaces with art and to hang sculptures from telephone poles.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The most well-maintained platform I use right now is Instagram. I do have a website but it is a bit dated.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.odessaglazaart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/odes_sa/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago 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.
