As reported previously by the artist, Caryl M. Christian Levy states in her Artist Biography and Statement; “My practice as a professional artist, educator and public art professional brings together many related disciplines providing a framework for collaborations with artists, cultural institutions, communities and city programs, and the public and private development in the realization of public art projects, programs and site specific commissioned public artworks. I currently lecture, instruct, and conduct workshops and presentations addressing the public realm with the goal of generating new arts policies and guidelines through inclusive community dialogues.”
View part one the exclusive live interview with Caryl M. Christian Levy here below:
And she continues, “As an artist, my painting and studio work comes from a Midwestern influence during the late 60’s and early 70’s. Most of us working during this decade saw the shift in object to process, the impact upon my studio art manifests in current installations created with my long time art collaborator and husband, John Levy. These monumental installations touch every aspect of my art and performance music background in addition to combining my tendency towards collaborative projects.”
Hollywood Sentinel: In your book “Monotypes, The Vestment Series,” Ruth Weisberg mentions your Vestment Series being in the similar vein of female artists Miriam Schaprio and Joyce Kozloff. I can see why she mentioned Schapiro. Were they both influences, and if so how and why?
Caryl M. Christian Levy: Yes, they are both influences in theory more than medium. Celebrating my foremothers in my work and the value of a woman’s work in my choices of mediums has been fostered by examining feminist artists like Shapiro and Kozloff.
Hollywood Sentinel: Schapiro and Kozloff are referred to as feminist artists, do you define yourself as such, and why or why not?
Caryl M. Christian Levy: As a woman artist, I identify my personal experiences in my work. That would identify me as a feminist.
Hollywood Sentinel: Your Vestment Series references the Holy Communion. What role does spirituality and religion have in your
life and your work and how and why?
Caryl M. Christian Levy: Throughout my formative years the church played an influential role in my musical training as a vocalist, organist and pianist. The church liturgy structures much of my moral compass and influences me still today. The vestments series references not only the robes that veil our participation in ceremony but also how our clothes, or vestments, of everyday become our shared identity in public and private – how we express ourselves in contemporary dialogue – our image if it were.
Hollywood Sentinel: What is your ultimate goal in life as a person, and as an artist?
Caryl M. Christian Levy: In life and art, my goal is the same. To share my gifts with others.
Hollywood Sentinel: Well that’s great, I would definitely say you are doing that Caryl! Thank you for speaking with us today.
Caryl M. Christian Levy: Thank you!
View part two of the exclusive live interview with Caryl M. Christian Levy here below:
For more information on artist Caryl M. Christian Levy, and to see her work, visit her official website at:
