30 Under 30

About

In a world changing culturally and politically more rapidly than ever, these artworks perhaps offer a clue to future ways artists look at their lives and times through art making. The artists in this exhibition were selected from a “call for art” the gallery sent out to discover what young artists are thinking about and creating art about in these times. From a wide range of applicants, the art of 30 of those applying, were selected by the gallery director, Vernita Nemec who is an artist herself.

Viridian plans to create an affordable program for young and gifted artists. No longer is it possible to get large workspaces or showing spaces without huge rents. The struggle to be an artist full time is a dream few can afford and making art in shared spaces is the rule rather than the exception.

This exhibition and the program Viridian has developed for young artists arose from the group’s awareness of the hardships that artists must often endure to continue their practice. As a part of an artist-owned gallery community, Viridian artists are conscious of not only how expensive space is today both for showing and working, but also, how important it is for artists to live and work in a competitive and supportive environment.

Just how difficult is it now is for young artists to achieve their dreams of fame, respect and possibly fortune? What are their concerns? What materials do they work with? Why are some still making art in traditional materials & in traditional ways? How has social media, astronomical rents, and less space changed the way in which artists just beginning their careers express themselves creatively?

To learn the answers to some of these questions, it is best to look at the art itself for we often cannot express in words what can be expressed through an image or object. There will be events throughout the exhibition when artists & guests can talk about the work and discuss and share with one another thoughts about the importance of artmaking in today’s world. Check our facebook page and listings calendars for precise times & dates of these meetings.

Featuring:

Rocio Azarloza * Emmett Barnacle * Joanna Bellettiere * Keenan Bennett * Michael Bishop * Elizabeth Christianon * Chelsea Couch * Furen Dai * Ivan Filipchyk * Julie Gautier-Downes * Charity Henderson * Jieun Kim * Ryu-Hee Kim * Jordan Lepore * Jade Lowder * Phillip McConnell * Katie Mongoven * Aya Ogasawara * Jesse Parajeckas * Alex Schechter * Becca Shmuluvitz * Megan St Clair * Michael Thron * Sarah Tompkins * Meggan Trobaugh * Holly Wilson * Najwan Zoubi * Laura Willig * Dongyi Wu * Ryan Busch