Mark Bradford's plans for 2017 Venice Biennale: 'The whole of who I am and where I am now'
Los Angeles–based artist Mark Bradford has received multiple awards, fellowships, and recognitions. In 2013 he established Art + Practice in Leimert Park, an organization that encourages engagement with the arts and supports local 16 to 24-year-olds. In 2015 Bradford presented Scorched Earth at the UCLA Hammer Musem.
Los Angeles artist Mark Bradford said Wednesday he has been given free rein in how he represents the United States at the 2017 Venice Biennale. The Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University, in cooperation with the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, chose Bradford to create a site-specific installation for the U.S. Pavilion from May 13 to Nov. 26 next year at La Biennale di Venezia 57th International Art Exhibition.
Bradford said his plans are quite loose, but he added, "I'm really interested in both my social practice and my studio practice, so I'd like to create something that reflects the whole of who I am and where I am now."
Bradford's social practice is an arts education foundation based in Leimart Park called Art + Practice. It helps foster youth gain knowledge of — and experience in — contemporary art. Bradford doesn't intend to bring A+P to Venice, but he said its model is something he's exploring for export.
"I believe social impact engagement should be — and could be — replicated all over the world," Bradford said. — Jessical Gelt, Apr. 20
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