Mark Bradford
Mark Bradford
Mark Bradfordis an American artist living and working in Los Angeles...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionArtist
CountryUnited States of America
anybody artist mom
My mom was an orphan, and there was never anybody to tell her what she could or couldn't do. At the core, she's probably an artist - an artist and a feminist.
brought free mom
My mom was a free spirit, and she brought me up to be a free spirit.
change education fell holes life
I fell through the holes in the educational system. But education is still a way to change a life.
ended example guy
I ended up being an example. That let me know that this guy was serious.
We have to tighten some things up. We need to be a little more patient.
best car happen negative plates police pull run
The police pull up in back of my car and run my plates - they don't see you as you are; they see you through a racialized negative gaze. I think the best thing is not to internalize it too much, or it'll make you crazy because you know it's going to happen again.
advertising creates density sheer tense until
The sheer density of advertising creates a psychic mass, an overlay that can sometimes be very tense or aggressive. As a citizen, you have to participate in that every day. You have to walk by until it's changed.
believe looking three
The three occupants that we were looking for we believe we have, in fact, found.
might people room
Generally, when I tell people I'm a painter, they ask me if I have a card: 'Yes, we'd like this room in this color.' I still might get cards that say 'Mark Bradford. Painter.'
art ask
I look at art as a container. You can't get inside it, so you have to ask all of these questions.
buildings buying mentor whatever
I just like artist-driven projects, but for artists themselves: artist spaces, artist mentor programs, and artists buying buildings and making lofts. Doing whatever we can do. Because at the end of the day, I really think that we as a community only have each other.
I just follow the things I'm interested in. That's always guided me. If I'm interested in something, that's where I go.
amazed central constantly los pattern south studio work
In the neighborhood where my studio is, in South Central Los Angeles, there are a lot of immigrant-owned businesses. I'm constantly amazed at the level of work they do. It's above anything. For me, I think I pattern myself on that work ethic.
change depend details life looking observing
In the city, you're always looking around, observing everything. In some neighborhoods, your life can depend on it. The details change constantly.