We’ve long been fans of San Jose artist, Sam Rodriguez, who is heading to sunny Hawai’i this week for the opening of Fractions at Loft In Space.
In this body of work, Rodriguez explores themes of identity: style, perception, ethnicity, and the ways in which we perceive each other. Examining the idea of people as ‘walking melting pots’, the artist’s new work is a visual feast, beckoning us to take a closer look at the complexities that make up the individual.
For this week’s instalment of CANVASSED, we caught up with Sam ahead of the show’s opening, who gives us some BTS insights into the show and what he gets up to when he’s not making art.
My name is… Sam Rodriguez.
My latest exhibition is called… Fractions.
And it is about… the perception of visual identities.
Some things that influenced this series are… anthropology, portraiture, the 2012 Olympic Games, and Vidal Sasoon’s take on the architecture of hair.
An album I listened to a stack when making the works was… more a playlist that included Pet Shop Boys’ West End Girls, and a couple of throwbacks from Underworld: Rez and Born Slippy Nuxx. Thanks to the 2012 Olympic ceremony for the reminder!
The time of day I’m most likely to make art is… early in the morning.
The hardest part of putting this show together was… doing the work, and figuring out shipping.
First thing I do when I get up in the morning is… drive my daughter to school, and make myself some breakfast and coffee.
Some other artists I have been enjoying the work of are… Milton Glaser.
What I’m working on at the moment is… graphic design deadlines that need to be completed before I fly to Hawai’i.
My favourite colour is… I don’t know.
If I wasn’t doing what I’m doing, I’d be… not sure, but ideally either a musician or a pro track and cross-country runner.
The last website I visited was… netflix.com
My favourite youtube vid is: Sweet Brown – Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That (Autotune Remix)
Tomorrow I will be… working on designs, finishing up some framing for the show, and running.
Fractions
Sam Rodriguez
Loft In Space, Honolulu HI
Opens 20th September
Until October 18th
