Episode 57: Meryl Pataky

The newest episode of the podcast features, Meryl Pataky, a multi-disciplined artist known for her amazing neon pieces. Based here in the Bay Area, I visited Meryl in her studio to discuss her early beginnings as a mixed media artist, her neon practice and  She Bends, an organization she founded to create a more equitable future for neon. Finally, we also talked about the new exhibition curated by She Bends at the Contemporary Jewish Museum (CJM) in San Francisco titled First Light: Rituals of Glass and Neon Art. The exhibition features neon work by various artists including Meryl, that “explores mastery in craft as a devotional pursuit, presenting breathtaking artworks that connect both artists and viewers to spirituality, wonder, and universal questions of human existence.” The show is up at the CJM through April 28, 2024. Visit the museum website for more details. For more info about Meryl and her work be sure to visit her website at merylpataky.com  or follow her on Instagram at @merylpataky. Learn more about She Bends at shebends.com. 

Meryl Pataky (Image by Anna-Alexia Basile)
Meryl Pataky (Image by Kirby Gladstein)
Meryl Pataky (Image by Kirby Gladstein)
Meryl Pataky “Pass Me The Hammer” 2017
“Pass Me The Hammer” 2017 (detail)
“Pass Me The Hammer” 2017 (detail)
Meryl Pataky “I’m Just As Tired As You” 2019
Ru’ach 2023

Episode 56: Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa

This week’s guest on the (art)Scene Podcast is Oakland-based artist Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa whose art practice focuses on charcoal, airbrush painting, and most recently mixed media painting and installation. For our conversation I had the pleasure of visiting Esteban in his studio in Oakland to discuss his early beginnings in Sacramento and the community he surrounds himself with that ultimately inspires much of his work. We also discussed his new solo exhibition titled Ain’t No Dogs in Heaven currently up at Pt. 2 Gallery through September 9, 2023. Follow Esteban and his latest projects at https://www.wulffvnky.com/ or follow him on instagram @wulffvnky

Gallery view from “Ain’t No Dogs in Heaven” a solo exhibition by Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa at Part 2, Oakland, CA. On view from August 5 through September 9, 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
Esteban Raheem Abdul Raheem Samayoa (Photo by Gabe Searles)
”All in the Family” Acrylic on canvas 72 x 84 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
“Tios” Oil, oil pastel on canvas 22 x 28 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)
“Salat #1” Plaster 12 x 12 x 4 inches 2023 (Photo by Shaun Roberts)

Episode 55: Isaac Vazquez Avila

After a long hiatus the (art)Scene Podcast is back with a  brand new guest: Isaac Vazquez Avila, a painter & sculptor based in San Francisco. I stopped by his studio in Bernal Heights to discuss what drew him to the Bay Area, his art practice and his recent projects including the exhibition that wrapped up at pt. 2 Gallery in Oakland and teaching. Follow Isaac and his latest projects at https://www.isaacvazquezavila.com/ or follow him on instagram @aliencitizen

Image Credit: Adan Pol Vazquez
Isaac Vazquez Avila ”Sun Stoned” Gouache, flash paint on artist made wood panel 72 x 48 inches 2023
Isaac Vazquez Avila ”Turbo bit flor bug” Gouache and acrylic on wood panel 10 x 8 inches 2023
Force of Healthy Growth

Episode 54: Liz Hernández

On today’s episode I am joined by Liz Hernandez, an artist based in Oakland, CA whose work includes paintings, drawings, sculptures and writings deeply influenced by the memories & surroundings of her hometown in Mexico. We discussed her art practice and the mural she conceived for SFMOMA’s Bay Area Walls exhibition titled Conjuro para la sanación de nuestro futuro. 

Liz’s mural is up until September 5, 2022 on the 3rd floor of SFMOMA. Click here to To learn more.

You can also learn more about her work on her website

Liz Hernández in front of her mural, Conjuro para la sanación de nuestro futuro (image credit: Katherine Du Tiel for SFMOMA)
Energía de Sanación (Healing Energy) by Liz Hernández (image credit: Brock Brake for Pt.2 Gallery)
Convertirme en el universo (Becoming the Universe) by Liz Hernández (image credit: Brock Brake for Pt.2 Gallery)
El templo sumergido en el aroma secreto de Urania (The Temple immersed in the secret scent of Urania) by Liz Hernández (image credit: Brock Brake for Pt.2 Gallery)
Materializada by Liz Hernández (image credit: Brock Brake for Pt.2 Gallery)

Episode 53: Lena Gustafson #2

After a long hiatus, the (art)Scene Podcast returns with an all new episode featuring Oakland-based artist Lena Gustafson who discusses the projects she worked on during the pandemic including a group exhibition at Pt. 2 Gallery in Oakland titled Holding.

Holding runs through July 2, 2020. Check out the Pt. 2 Gallery website for more info.

To learn more about Lena’s work visit her website at www.lenagustafson.com. To learn more about her work with Night Diver Press visit www.nightdiverpress.com.

Lena Gustafson (image credit: Airyka Rockefeller)
Night Diver Press & Friends at Park Life
Night Diver Press & Friends at Park Life Gallery
Lena Gustafson in studio (image credit: Airyka Rockefeller)
Holding at Pt.2 Gallery
Holding at Pt.2 Gallery
Connect by Lena Gustafson
Repeat, Repeat, Release by Lena Gustafson
Bloom Sequence – Delphinium by Lena Gustafson

Episode 51: Joonbug

After a brief hiatus, I am back with a brand new episode featuring Oakland based artist and graphic designer, Lenworth Macintosh who is also goes by Joonbug. On today’s episode you’ll hear us discuss his background in creating his own clothing brand, his graphic design work and his eventual foray into the fine art world. We also discussed his recent solo show at Pt. 2 Gallery and the mural he created along the side of the Fox Theater in Oakland. 

Learn more about Joonbug and his work by visiting his website at www.bugs87.com or follow him on Instagram @thebugs87

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Joonbug (Lenworth Macintosh)

Episode 50: Mark Sabb #2

Back on the podcast is Mark Sabb, Senior Director of Innovation, Marketing and Engagement at the Museum of African Diaspora (MoAD). On today’s episode we discuss what museums such as MoAD, are doing to adapt to being closed during the pandemic.  We also talk about the work they can and need to do in resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement.

To learn more about MoAD’s programming visit moadsf.org or follow the museum on Instagram @moadsf. 

Mark Sabb