Unveiling Creativity and Social Activism with Zoë Charlton | Exploring Identity, Collaboration, and Artistic Influence

Engage your mind with 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, where host Rob Lee guides the way on an enthralling discussion with Zoë Charlton, a Baltimore-based artist of remarkable vision, takes center stage in this engaging episode of The Truth In This Art podcast hosted by Rob Lee. Charlton's artistic repertoire includes figure drawings, collages, installations, and animations, each piece thoughtfully portraying the intricate relationship between her subjects and culturally significant landscapes and objects. With an MFA degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a diverse range of residencies under her belt, including those at the McColl Center for Art + Innovation and Ucross Foundation, Charlton's journey has been marked by exploration and profound introspection. Her work has graced prestigious institutions like the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and Studio Museum in Harlem, gaining recognition through awards such as the Pollock-Krasner grant. As a professor at American University and a trailblazing presence in the art world, Charlton's impact extends beyond her creative pieces, resonating through her advocacy and collaborative efforts. Join the conversation as Zoë Charlton and Rob dive into her artistic process, the intricate stories her creations tell, and her role in shaping a more inclusive and accountable cultural landscape.

In this episode, we explore:

• The sanctity of creative spaces, unearthing how a designated realm fuels artists' dedication and artistic commitment.
• Dive into the podcast's exploration of scale's role in viewer interaction, revealing how it shapes the immersive experience and viewers' self-imagined participation.
• Immerse yourself in the podcast episode's discourse on representation in academia, underscoring the indispensability of diverse representation in fostering belonging and support.
• Join the podcast's journey through artistic collaboration, as it delves into the enriching influence of community involvement on an artist's creative ethos.
• Navigate the podcast episode's exploration of art's activist potential, as it sheds light on how artists harness their craft to magnify social change and champion their values.

You won't want to skip this one! Zoë discusses her background and early art experiences that have influenced her current practice. She emphasizes the importance of having a dedicated space for creativity and the impact of her mother providing her with an art studio at a young age. Charlton also reflects on her experiences as a military dependent and how it has shaped her ability to establish boundaries and build relationships. She shares her interest in exploring the narrative potential of particular bodies, such as black women, and the themes of land, racialized bodies, and African objects in her work. Charlton believes that artists are conduits of social activism and values collaborations that align with her politics. She discusses the significance of scale in her work and how it can create a sense of playfulness and investment for viewers. Charlton also highlights the influence of travel and being involved in various communities on her creative sensibility. She shares a formative experience with her art teacher, Francois de Naju, who encouraged her to study with Ed Love at Florida State University. Charlton emphasizes the importance of representation and diversity in academia and how it has shaped her own teaching practice. She finds inspiration in her involvement with Kindred Craft and other collaborations, which inform her thinking and playfulness in her work.

**photo Credit Grace Roselli, Pandora's BoxX Project

Mentioned in this episode:

Zoë Charlton

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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