New Traditions: Robin Venter on emerging Queer Aesthetics in Academic Art

Artalogue

Robin Venter is a queer, non-binary, oil painter residing in Long Beach, California. Venter earned a BFA in drawing and painting from the Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), which provided atelier-based training the artist utilizes in their current work. The artist’s current body of work explores the relationship between queerness and the representational figurative tradition. Examples of past queer lives and experiences are brought into Venter’s work through nods to art history and mythologies, connecting the past and present to affirm that there have always been examples of those who defy the societal structures of gender and sexuality.
In this episode, we explore Robin’s thesis work at Laguna, which challenges heteronormative art traditions typified by the reclining nude. We delve into how art school sharpened their technical background and boosted their confidence, providing inspiration for exploring gender and art history. Learn how masterpieces like the Venus of Urbino and the Birth of Venus influenced Venter’s work while defying gender expectations with body hair and gender ambiguity. We also touch on the influence of ancient Greek erotic pottery and the incorporation of queer aesthetics inspired by artists such as John Singer Sargent. Venter’s journey from elementary school art classes to current successes and future aspirations offers invaluable insights and advice for aspiring painters, underscoring the importance of honesty and self-kindness in the creative process.
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1. Artistic Style and Influence Interview (00:00:00)

2. Queer Aesthetics in Art History (00:17:36)

3. Journey to Becoming a Painter (00:31:38)