Artist Statement
Challenging power structures, creating experiences to spark thinking, addressing social dilemmas.
Lessons learned from experience. Can all these factors sustain
An art practice?
Starting those uncomfortable conversations through art. Do we care?
Standing with the idea of community building. Too idealistic?
Something to think about when walking through the installation.
To what extent can the artist communicate an idea with you?
Realistically, is it legible?
Utilizing any means necessary to create. Is it enough to
Garner your attention? Can we
Gerrymander the struggle to our advantage?
Let us not forget where we came from.
Everything earned. Nothing given.
-Ray Foliente
My art practice tackles issues revolving around class struggle and community. I use various mediums such as video, photography, and sculpture to create immersive installations. Through the use of installation, the goal is to start conversations around difficult and complex issues. The issues come from researched based, accounts of others as well as the personal, to articles and op eds from various publications. By using various techniques to immerse viewers into the installation, I aim to keep viewers engaged for longer periods of time. The longer we spend with one another, the better understanding we have of each other.
Bio
Ray Foliente is an interdisciplinary artist whose art practice focuses on social issues, in particular those revolving around class struggle. Most of his adult life has been spent involved in the community service and the non-profit sector. He received a BA in Film from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. He also received a BFA in Fine Arts from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Currently, Ray just finished his MFA in Fine Arts and Social Practice from the Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles, CA. He currently splits his time between Los Angeles, CA and Las Vegas, NV.