MONIQUE PRIETO
“Los Angeles feels less tethered to a European art narrative and consequently offers a cleaner slate and room to move in as an artist. ”
Interview by Amanda Quinn Olivar, West Coast Editor
Monique Prieto (American, b. 1962) is a Contemporary artist from Los Angeles, CA. Prieto often uses computers to generate her colorful abstract compositions, commonly coupled with blocky text or various abstract shapes. Prieto received her MFA (1994) and BFA (1992) from the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles, as well as a BFA (1987) from the University of California in Los Angeles. She holds gallery representation in three cities, and has held numerous solo exhibitions at each, including ACME, Santa Monica, CA; Cheim & Read, New York, NY; and Corvi-Mora, London, UK, among others.
What was the aha moment that led you to art... and did Los Angeles play a part in your career decision?
My dad would pick me up on weekends in the late '60s-early '70s and we'd visit galleries on La Cienega to look at art together. Those early art encounters piqued my childish curiosity. I was hooked.
Monique Prieto
Tarantella, 2014
Oil on primed canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in
Photo: © Monique Prieto
Courtesy of Chimento Contemporary
How has living in LA informed your approach and aesthetic?
I lived in NY in the late '80s and came back to LA to stay. Los Angeles feels less tethered to a European art narrative and consequently offers a cleaner slate and room to move in as an artist.
When and how did you first feel embraced by our LA art community?
When I first moved back to LA, early '90s, I was included in a group show called Corazon Mexicana at the short-lived Bacilia Hernandez gallery. I knew this was the place for me to give it a go.
The exhibition speaks about the vitality of our art community. Which pioneering LA artist influenced you the most? And whose work do you find intriguing right now?
I was influenced by an accumulation of art experiences I had here and in visiting Mexico City, but for sure I remember vividly being intrigued by Craig Kauffman's lozenge wall pieces and John McCracken's planks that I first saw at LACMA as a very small person. There's so much great work being made by so many young artists in LA today to be inspired by. It's hard to pick.
What is your favorite art accident?
Walls where graffitti happens and gets covered and happens again and gets covered again with various shades of primer--that accumulation of activity and struggle is an arresting art accident.
Monique Prieto
Zamba, 2014
Oil on primed canvas
152.4 x 121.9 cm
60 x 48 in
Photo: © Monique Prieto
Courtesy of Chimento Contemporary
How They Ran
Over The Influence
August 12 - September 5, 2018
