MIYA ANDO
“I love the light in LA. It’s completely different from NorCal light and also from the light in NYC.”
Interview by Amanda Quinn Olivar, West Coast Editor
Miya Ando is an American artist who lives and works between New York City and Los Angeles. Ando’s work has been the subject of recent solo exhibitions internationally including The Noguchi Museum (New York), SCAD Museum (Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA); Shibuya Seibu and The American University Museum (Washington, DC). Her work has also been included in extensive group exhibitions at institutions including LACMA (Los Angeles, CA); Bronx Museum (New York, NY); Queens Museum of Art (New York, NY) and The Nassau County Museum, NY. Her work is included in the public collections of LACMA and The Detroit Institute of Art Museum (DIA), The Luft Museum (Germany) as well as in numerous private collections. Ando has been the recipient of several grants and awards including the Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant Award and Commission for The Philip Johnson Glass House, New Canaan, CT.
What was the aha moment that led you to art... and did Los Angeles play a part in your career decision?
I was born in LA but raised in the Santa Cruz mountains and in Okayama, Japan. I met a bronze sculptor when I was a child, and wanted to be an artist ever since.
How has living in LA informed your approach and aesthetic?
I often work with metal finishing techniques on the paintings, and the fetish finish/car culture has always inspired me. My father rebuilt cars and introduced me to metal smithing and finishing when I was a child, so it's great to be in LA. I also love the light in LA. It's completely different from NorCal light and also from the light in NYC where I spend part of my time.
Miya Ando
Tasogare (Twilight) Peach Pink Yellow, 2018
Pigment, urethane, silver, mineral dust, dye, resin, aluminum
152.4 x 152.4 cm
60 x 60 in
Photo: © Miya Ando
Courtesy of the Artist
When and how did you first feel embraced by our LA art community?
Before I even landed in LA, I felt embraced by the LA art community. I'm very grateful to have friends and family here.
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 love the light and space artists, particularly Irwin and Bell. I find Sterling Ruby's work to be fascinating.
What is your favorite art accident?
Playing with voltage during anodizing produces some interesting things…
Photo of Miya Ando: Leonard Fong
How They Ran
Over The Influence
August 12 - September 5, 2018
