Today we’d like to introduce you to Brady McLearen.
Hi Brady, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, my friends and I were a crew of skateboarders. Five or six of us moved as a pack, jumping down flights of stairs, grinding on ledges, running from security guards. At night we would wreak havoc trespassing, scaling fences, climbing on roofs and other adventurous and criminal acts. Skating made me resilient and courageous. It was a grip-it and rip-it culture. It taught me how to fly and how to fall. It taught me to see things in my mind, trust my bodily intelligence, access the non-thinking mind, and commit.
After walking a razor thin edge in my youth nearly significantly limiting my possibilities of opportunities and growth as an independent adult, I will say I am extremely grateful for the teachers, experiences, connections, and outlook that my education has provided me. Coming from a working-class family of carpenters, tile setters, gardeners, servers and clerks, I found my way to college somewhat by happenstance. After 2 years of community college, I became a student at the University of Minnesota in 2008. My curriculum in the Fine Arts program including drawing, printmaking, metal casting and fabrication, woodworking, sculpture and ceramics in conjunction with my coursework in Architecture, Anthropology, Design and Art History was a wave of new ideas about the world that were synthesizing alongside the development of my studio practice. I learned that making sculpture was an outlet to processing new information; all of my incessant questions, thoughts, and feelings could be put into the work. It was exciting; I was gaining an understanding of a visual language that deepened my knowing and experience of the world in a new way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I have been so fortunate in the opportunities that have kept my practice alive throughout the last 18 years. Generally, up to this point, I have not been supported by an economy of sales but more so supported by institutions via universities, grants, fellowships and residencies that allow me to freely pursue my research and work with as much autonomy as possible.
I want to create significant and relevant work. It takes courage to move forward while not knowing entirely what may happen; to trust the process and not be deterred by what others might think or what others might buy and to remain true to my values of aesthetics, poetry and meaning.
It is extremely hard work, its competitive, and wages in the art field are relatively low in pay. In the face of a society that values expediency, production and wealth, one of the most difficult aspects of this work is to be uncompromising yet flexible when faced with the adversities of finances, time and the critical voice of doubt. It can be painful and at times feel absurd and lonely. It is my duty to believe strongly that this work is important; to have patience, rigor, understanding, peace of mind as well as love and understanding of myself and the world around me.
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?
The work that I make lives in a lyrical space. I not only approach a variety of different themes but I deeply consider the feelings and emotions that arise with an idea. I do not rely on technique and I remain open to where the work and process leads me. In this way, my practice can be improvisational and spontaneous. Expressing feeling in sculpture can be executed in different ways–how complete or incomplete does it appear? how refined? Is it sound, unstable, brittle? How does my use of the materials relate to the context in which it is shown, or the standards and uses of the material throughout time? There is a physicality that adds to the energy of my work— natural torn and scraped textures bring a visceral vibrancy to constructions that also thoughtfully address art historical themes that I want to be in conversation with.
My studio practice was born from and is strongly connected to working with clay. Clay is a naturally occurring, raw material resource of our planet. The practice is quiet and meditative. It is an ideal medium to see into the human experience because it is immediately responsive; its plastic—a counter term to elastic which pushes back such as a rubber ball. When you give to clay, it receives. It holds. It records. What is otherwise formless, when we interact with clay, it reflects information. It is the negative space to our touch.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
When I first entered the higher education system and the professional working environment, communication was an abstract word to me- I knew its intended meaning but really didn’t understand what it entailed or how to do it well. I have found that good networking depends a lot on communication and management of lasting relationships through considerate and professional interactions. A piece of advice I was given once was to ‘manage your managers’. I try to exercise this tactic with all my professional relationships—in practice this appears as taking initiative, checking in, sending following up emails, and being humble and respectful. Keep the well-being of others in mind. Be brief, thoughtful, and clear. I would also posit that everyone you work with is a potential reference for the next opportunity. Find healthy outlets to process and manage your reactions and emotions; do not contribute to negativity in the public workplace. Be the role model and stay in touch.
Pricing:
- Support artists. Collect artwork.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bradyjmclearen.com
- Instagram: @bradymclearen
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brady-mclearen-94a371248/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BradyMcLearen
Image Credits
Profile Picture – Shushank Shrestha
1. Exploded Pot – Matthew McIntosh @mtoshcreative
3. Flying Board – Andy Whisney @andywhisney
4. Shushank Shrestha @shushank17
8-10. Brian Oglesbee
