VIDEO: Barbara Kasten-Advice to the Young

“As long as an artist continues to express themselves, it’s a contribution to the world”. American artist Barbara Kasten shares her advice to aspiring young artists.

To Barbara Kasten, one cannot expect success right after finishing art school: “I think that young artists should think about the future of their work, but they shouldn’t get stuck on it.” She also acknowledges how much it takes, not only in perseverance but also in capital, to make it as an artist: “You know, it takes money to continue to make art. So, many artists aren’t fortunate enough to have the resources.” Barbara Kasten had to teach for many years to make a living as an artist: “It took me until 80 to get the kind of recognition that I’m getting now.”

Barbara Kasten (b. 1936) is an American artist born in Chicago, USA. She is known for making photographs of abstract interior environments where the juxtaposition of light, objects, and mirrors forms the subject of her images. Kasten was educated in sculpture and painting, which both informs her work. She began investigating photography through cyanotypes of fabrics and photograms of objects placed directly on paper. Barbara Kasten attended California College of Arts and Crafts (MFA, 1970) and the University of Arizona, Tucson (BFA, 1959). She has had major exhibitions at MOCA Pacific Design Center (2016); Hammer Museum (2016); ICA Philadelphia (2015); Museum of Modern Art, New York (2014); Smithsonian American Art Museum (2013); MCA Chicago (2013), among others.

 

Barbara Kasten was interviewed by Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærksen in her studio in Chicago in February 2023. Camera: Sean Hanley, Edited and produced by Roxanne Bagheshirin Lærkesen, © Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2021, Louisiana Channel is supported by Den A.P. Møllerske Støttefond, Ny Carlsbergfondet, C.L. Davids Fond og Samling, and Fritz Hansen