Spotlight: Brianna Harlan (she/her/hers/sir)

Early in the semester, current SPQ student Brianna Harlan (she/her/hers/sir) was interviewed virtually. The interview is transcribed below. You can read her bio here. We also want to congratulate Brianna on the completion of her thesis! The virtual reception for Brianna’s solo thesis exhibition happens tonight at 6:30 pm! For more information visit Brianna’s Instagram and the link in her bio.

How does SPQ support your mission as a creator? 

Through critical dialogue about what it means to interact with a public; through relationships to spaces that give priority to community-based projects, which I learn so much from; influences that align with my practice, and a cohort that fosters people being at the center of our work.

What is the most important thing you’ve learned at SPQ thus far?

Greg and Chloë are as cool as people think they are. That’s followed closely by there are people who have been doing this for decades and my thoughts aren’t new. It’s important to share theories and question them, no matter how established. It’s good to be a student of many things at once: yourself, art, theory, community, politics of subject, etc. Social Practice, when done well, is at the intersection of a lot of points. 

Please provide 3 or more pictures of your favorite work(s) created during your enrollment in SPQ (or that relates to your work in the program). 

A joyful moment during the project Black Love Blooms (@blackloveblooms) that spreads unconditional love from Black people to Black people with free flowers and love notes. This iteration was on Juneteenth 2020 and occurred in 5 states. 

An augmented reality, virtual monument to honor Breonna Taylor and the #SayHerName movement. It is site-specific in Louisville, KY where the community continues to fight for justice after Breonna Taylor was murdered by the Louisville Metro Police Department over a year ago while resting at home. It activates through the 4th Wall App (@4thWallApp) created by Nancy Baker Cahill (@NancyBakerCahill). 

These cards support heightened viewer engagement while viewing Social Practice works. It was created for the Social Practice Queens exhibition at the Queens Museum, Art as Social Action. There is one for each artwork. They ask questions to prompt the participant to take note of their thoughts, feelings, and to position themselves in the work’s theme. 

Is there anything you want me to know about you?

I also make art objects and installations. My thesis show opens on May 11th. I hope everyone gets a hug today.

We thank Brianna for her time and want to express how proud we are of her. Again, visit Brianna’s Instagram to find information on her thesis exhibition, and to support her!