Today we’d like to introduce you to Brandon Surtain.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

Much of my work over the past few years has been influenced by my experience in New Orleans, pre and post Hurricane Katrina. At the time of the storm, I was 11 years old and didn’t understand the magnitude of what was happening. However, over the years I began to observe a shift in the community that I’d once known.
By the time I was 14, the narrative of my work started to become much more focused on what I felt was lost. This manifested in drawings of kids playing football, families enjoying each other’s presence and community togetherness as a whole.
I didn’t see my friends when I would come back to visit my neighborhood. My family hadn’t come back.
I didn’t know that we didn’t own our home. I didn’t know that the built environment could change so drastically.
I didn’t have the vocabulary to use the phrase “built environment”
I had my observations of Mid-City, New Orleans and I thought I was the only one that saw this happening.
These observations that’d informed my painting practice, led to my interest in architectural design, community engagement and equitable development.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

It’s certainly not been a smooth road. I’ve faced a number of personal, familial, educational, financial, etc…, struggles along the way. Harkening back to my observations post Hurricane Katrina, I’m amazed at how gracefully the adults in my life were able to adjust to the demands of evacuating and restarting life after the storm. There’s been a lot of twists and turmoil since then, that I haven’t been able to navigate with half the grace.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?

My artistic practice is primarily oil on wood paintings. The subject matter has ranged from homes, to birds eye communities, to individual dancers. My work is primarily situated in the urban context, with an attempt to evoke joy.

I am most proud of the visual language that I’ve developed in my practice. It means the world to me when someone is able to see things in life that reminds them of my artistic practice.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

Mentors have been paramount to my progression. If not for my teachers, Mrs. Michalik and Mrs. Dave, giving me encouragement early on, I may not have pursue my artistic practice with rigor. My mother gave me the conviction I needed to believe in the transformative power of art. There have been countless times when I’ve felt discouraged and people close to me have given me a word that helped me continue the work. I’ve also found great inspiration from people that I’ve never met. I long for the day that I make a painting that’s as good as a Stevie Wonder song. I often find mentorship in practitioners across disciplines. Having the opportunity to find great mentors has been invaluable to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Brandonjuansurtain.com
• Instagram: @Brandonjuansurtain (most up-to-date)

Image Credits

Credit: Brandon Juan Surtain