"Childhood". Image Courtesy of Bryant Giles.
Art is not a tool that can be learned, rather it is a form of expression that equals the act of existing. At least that is the case for interdisciplinary artist Bryant Giles. With his art, he touches upon topics of racism and flaws in our system though his work isn’t meant to be political. Giles doesn’t like labels. Rather he functions as an observer of our world, letting his inner mind unfold through his art. It is speaking for the ones who are willing to listen; or more so the ones taking their time to understand his language.
His solo exhibition “I’m Alive?” currently running at Berlin’s Schlachter 151 focuses on moments of true human nature and raw emotions. As the artist states, it is instinctual for people to take a shortcut in their mental development. The exhibition gives the visitors a moment to reflect and question their behavior to feel present again. It is a call to feel truly alive.
"Missing" 2023. Image Courtesy of Bryant Giles.
SLEEK: Are you alive?
Bryant Giles: I think so. Being away from Los Angeles helps with that.
S: The idea for the exhibition “I’m Alive?” was born from us not confronting ourselves anymore and not delving deeper into our own beings. Art therefore is a tool for you to process life and emotions. Do you use art how someone would use a journal to write down thoughts?
BG: As someone who also writes, I feel as though I’m allowed to be more honest through art as things don’t have to be so literal. You can achieve the same privacy through words but it’s a bit more effort. The lines then blur between journaling and poetry. At least for me that is.
S: As your art reflects your state of mind, it seems to be inspired by the environment surrounding you. Except for everyday life, what else flows into your creative process?
BG: I think the adrenaline of stress or being uncomfortable. It makes me itch to create something. Anything.
S: What distracts us from being alive?
BG: Depends on the person. For most it’s their phones, for some it’s the image of their own insecurities, worries or projections. Sometimes wanting to protect yourself or others stops you from being alive.
"Dead" 2023. Image Courtesy of Bryant Giles.
S: Social media is actually an escape from everyday life. Nowadays, it is also used for people to raise their voices or talk about mental health issues. Can it therefore also function as a tool to make us feel alive even though it seems like a paradox?
BG: I mean, sure. There are pros and cons to almost everything. Right?
S: When art involves a commentary on the political or societal state of the world, it is often condemned as political art. Your art simply seems to be a reflection of your state of mind where societal issues also flow into it. In which spheres does your art exist?
BG: A conversation with a stranger on the bus, at a bar or in the park. You don’t have much expectation entering these conversations, well, at least I don’t. But when your expectations are bottom level it’s easy to feel something. Anything. I’m just having a conversation. You’re more than welcome to join or sit in silence and perceive me. Showcasing art is just a crossway street.
S: Do you shy away from calling your art political?
BG: I hate labels. If I were to say that in this interview, every interviewer in the future would assume that everybody of artwork I create is about politics. Which is not true.
"You Knew Me" 2022. Image Courtesy of Bryant Giles.
S: Why is it important for your work to not only exist through paint on a canvas?
BG: Humans and their feelings are multidimensional. The way we express ourselves is the same. Well, for me that is.
S: You once already mentioned Anime influencing your art, how does that visually translate to a painting?
BG: Anime influenced my fashion interests at first. But as a kid, I aspired to be a mangaki. The visual representation of emotion, the understanding of color language, and the worlds I’ve delved into. It’s incredibly moving. I could go on forever.
S: How did your visual language come to life?
BG: It was my first language. I learned how to speak after.
S: When showcasing your art, you are inviting other people to have a look inside your mind. Do you open yourself up fully? Does that make you feel vulnerable?
BG: For the most part, yes. With this body of work in Berlin, I’m very honest. I feel quite safe. Because even though I’m putting it on the table, I know most won’t get it. The average human spends 0.05 seconds looking at a piece of artwork. You couldn’t put a year of someone’s life in that time frame. But in the blink of an eye, you could haha.
S: Does the art you create in private therefore differ from the one you display?
BG: No.
S: Is art even still a hobby for you?
BG: It never was. This has been my lifeline since birth.
“I’m Alive?” by Bryant Giles will be displayed at Schlachter 151 until January 31st 2024.