Member Artist Spotlight: K Ryan Henisey, SKÜT, Garo Ourfalian, Farnaz Shadravan

As a California-based artist, K Ryan Henisey's work is heavily influenced by the people, culture, and landscape of the Golden State. His personal narrative is often interwoven with mythological subjects, using patterning as a vehicle to make meaning from our post modern existence.

"I use a segmented form, highlighted with patterns and material," explains the artist. "With these two visual tools, I create connections within a context of deconstruction and Queer theory. Ultimately, I believe that existence must be constructed—typically through the hands of an artist—in order to hold value."

Follow Ryan: @kryanhenisey

Website: kryanhenisey.com

Blog: kryanhenisey.com/blog

K Ryan Henisey has displayed work throughout California and will debut internationally in China in 2020. Ryan won an Award of excellence in fine art at the 2015 California State Fair. He currently serves as president of TAG Gallery, an artist cooperative in Los Angeles.

Follow Ryan: @kryanhenisey

Website: kryanhenisey.com

Blog: kryanhenisey.com/blog

I create for happiness. I've always been a geek, and my folks encouraged artistic curiosity. My journey in the early days of designing and creating Grindr, fusing art & technology in a lush user experience, taught me to explore and push beyond. I try to infuse that ideology into art by experimenting with new media and fun materials.

As a gay man, and proud member of the LGBT community, it’s important for me to represent queer concepts in all forms of design. I love incorporating themes of awareness, acceptance, and activism into my art. Expression through color, texture, and design are all part of that narrative. I donate a portion of my art sales to charitable causes, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center.

Follow SKÜT @inkedbyskut on social media:

Instagram: instagram.com/inkedbyskut

Twitter: twitter.com/inkedbyskut

Facebook: facebook.com/inkedbyskut

SKÜT

SKÜT (Scott Lewallen) is a Southern California artist and Los Angeles native best known as original designer and Co-Founder of Grindr. Notably, SKÜT was featured in WeHo In Paso via the City of West Hollywood and held a solo exhibition at The Other Art Fair by Saatchi Art in Downtown Los Angeles. He joined TAG Gallery for 2020 and currently creates art in his on-site studio.

Follow SKÜT @inkedbyskut on social media:

Instagram: instagram.com/inkedbyskut

Twitter: twitter.com/inkedbyskut

Facebook: facebook.com/inkedbyskut

In an effort to understand himself and others, Garo Ourfalian uses art as a means to express and analyze human behavior. Moreover, I like to circulate ideas, elicit emotions, and address psychological matters via art. In my series “0 to 1,” I strive to uncover an art form wherein it’s possible to move from one mental state into another. It’ll take you from 0 to 1. The 0 to 1 movement is aimed at changing your level of consciousness into what ever it is that you desire to receive from the art. Whether it be broadening your perspective or finding value in the unexpected, the intent is to reach uncharted territory.

Follow Garo: instagram.com/garoourfalian

Website: garochegar.com

I was born in Lebanon in 1968 and started painting at a very early age and have been painting ever since. In an attempt to understand myself and human behavior, I believe art, shapes, colors, and figures are the key. However, I believe there is no final destination. There are no conclusions. Art is a portal through which I try to understand love, hate, anxiety, and depression. I had many choices in life, but one I could not escape - art. It was the only "must."

Follow Garo: instagram.com/garoourfalian

Website: garochegar.com

I am drawn to art making for my love of storytelling. Often I work with found objects. I add my mark to objects that have stories of their own and I am always humbled by their magnificence.

Follow Farnaz: instagram.com/shadravanfarnaz

Website: farnazshadravan.com

Farnaz Shadravan was born and raised in Iran. She was trained as a Manuscript Illuminator of the Koran. Originally arriving in the United States in 1979, she was deported back to Iran in 1981. She returns to America in 1986, graduates from Art School-University of Utah in 1990 and from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1994. She has also had extensive training in Printmaking and Sculpture at San Francisco Art Institute and private workshops. She is currently practicing Dentistry in the Bay Area.


Follow Farnaz: instagram.com/shadravanfarnaz

Website: farnazshadravan.com