A Friday the 13th special event not to be missed!
Andrew Brandou’s closing party at Corey Helford Gallery for his stunning solo “In The Garden of The Mystic”.

Friday, November 13
7-10pm

Corey Helford Gallery                   
8522 Washington Boulevard           
Culver City, CA  90232               
www.coreyhelfordgallery.com      

Juxtapoz had the opportunity to find out more about Andrew Brandou and his new show.

JUX: Your work is obviously influenced by 1960s psychedelia. What is it about this era’s culture that gets you going?

AB: Artistically, I think the obvious answer is that all of us dealing with pop imagery owe a great deal to the period. Personally, I am a child of the late 60's, and my older brother and sisters were mid - 50's, true children of the era. Their hand-me downs ranged from music, to collections of alternative press, underground comics, and full on pop poster art. I was always impressed with the artwork, not only for its craft, but for its infusion of politics, resistance, and a sense that love could be found in the smallest of things. 

JUX: You have a Catholic school upbringing, but your work references scenes from a darker, even occult, side of reality. How, if at all, has your past Catholic education influenced your artwork?

AB: Yeah, I dunno if there is a darker side to reality than catholic guilt. The suggestion to a child that god is a dysfunctional father is pretty hardcore. The suggestion that the occult is dark is equally absurd. My work is influenced by the opposite, and I think more common sense belief, that I am god, and you are god, and what we allow ourselves to get away with is up to our own morals and love to reconcile. Not that its simple, but Rome wasn’t built in a day.... 

JUX: You went to Otis in Los Angeles for art school. Do you think it’s possible to really learn to be an artist? Or did you already go into art school with an artistic talent and learn to refine it while in school?

AB: I've had this discussion many times, it intrigues me. I am not a genetic artist. I needed training and guidance. Did I get it from Otis? Not to denigrate their system at the time, but not really. I chose to be who I am and was driven there as a small child..but some of the kids around me... damn, they were artists... but an artist refines their skill constantly... I consider myself an art director, one who can articulate and enjoy, but is not necessarily a born artist...everything I do comes from a desire to find a balance between the world that is and the world that is not. I find artwork bridges those two things. whether by my painting or a doodle on a napkin its the way I communicate. It is harder work for myself than most accomplished artisans, but I feel at home there. School is great if you know how to recognize and access the tools around you. Some tools are new techniques and media, some are teachers and fellow students. I feel lucky to have learned how to access what I need. 

JUX: Artistically speaking, you’re somewhat of a jack-of-all-trades. You have experience with not only fine art and personal work, but also with animation, like with Rugrats, Spongebob, The Simpsons. You have also worked as a production designer and art director. Do you try to keep these arenas somewhat separate, or do you find they mutually inform one another? What have you gotten and given to each artistic arena?

AB: I believe that any artist is working as long as their eyes are open (eyes, souls, spirits, what have you.) I once worked at a pretty artless job... for a hamburger-centric fast food restaurant. I quit that job and said I’d never work for another artless job again. Animation is a pretty friendly home for someone who can draw, and if you can accept the fact that the rest of your day and night is yours... well, its pretty rockin. Sure, I could work at the grocery store or get my pilots license...but animation is fulla artist types who are driven and out there searching. It’s a bottomless pit of inspirational talent. Do I separate it from my personal art? Of course. But isn’t everything separate at that point? Or is it all so sad that we cant follow love anymore? 

JUX: What’s influencing your work nowadays? Do you feel like it’s shifted in recent years?

AB: My work is self-theraputic, and in that sense, its never changed. The show I’m working now is centered on love, empowerment, and positivity. The shift there is within myself. I’m driven to express the good in my psyche instead of the fears and confusion. I learn as we all do, through trial and error. Hopefully things do shift  - towards joy. 
This show, with that notion in mind was also influenced by the incredible team of artists I had helping every step of the way. Jean-Paul Bondy, Kristy Baltezore were an incredible source of inspiration. Sophia Lin and Nic Cowan each brought their skills and minds to the work, and opened up the process. Together, they gave me the space and time to push myself in new directions and informed me about myself and the work. 

JUX: What has you excited about your solo show, In The Garden of The Mystic, Corey Helford Gallery? What’s “mystical” about it?

AB: It’s a celebration of two of the most mystical experiences everyone can have. The psychedelic experience, and love. The show contrasts an older style of mine, wherein a bunny is menaced by his own thoughts and frustrations, with more beautiful abstractions based on his discovery of another plane. Hopefully, there will be a moment for some viewers that taps into that for them as well. We'll see.