Azadeh Shladovsky’s new L.A. studio is fertile ground for creativity. Here, the artist and designer lets us in on her current inspirations and ideas.
How would you describe your work?
My work, though material-based, is a result of a conceptual narrative of visual consciousness and continues to evolve as I do. While I prioritize material integrity and juxtapositions, I never place aesthetic boundaries on how the material is ultimately expressed. I’m unapologetically committed to my process and will sometimes allow years for pieces to reveal themselves.
How does your new studio space function?
It’s a dream space I’ve been looking to create for the past decade. It integrates all aspects of my artistic practice under one roof. It serves as a sanctuary, library, office, interior architecture studio, materials lab, workshop, gallery and event space. It was critical that the studio not only provide me the opportunity to share my journey of expression, it had to also serve as a platform for others to share their journeys. I insisted on having enough space to be able to hold talks, workshops, seminars, gallery shows and events to promote people and organizations that are aligned with my mission of sharing and promoting new ways of seeing.
What new projects are you working on?
I’m completing a large body of art titled Blindside. It’s a multimedia exhibit that employs visual language to address how society has chosen to see and define the homeless population. It challenges the optics of the homeless narrative by deconstructing the notion of the American dream and examining the question of shelter as a basic human right. I’m also working on residential projects in L.A. and New York. The pandemic has brought a renewed importance on the value of personal space.
How are you giving back during the pandemic?
The pandemic has revealed fractures in systems and social services that are basic to a thriving society. I created the Fractured pieces during the pandemic to highlight this issue and have committed to donating 100% of profits from the sale of these pieces to organizations in L.A. that are working to address fractures in food security, housing and healthcare. I also do weekly homeless outreach, providing basic supplies and food gift cards.
What do you have planned for the next few months?
We hope to continue hosting private and physically distanced visits to the studio, and are optimistic about our ability to initiate programming efforts in 2021 and reconnecting with our community in earnest. As usual, I will continue to make new work and share it in whichever way I can.
Photography by: John Jefferson
