Image Alumni ’16 Education MFA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design Website www.lesliebarlowartist.com Current Career Freelance Artist Location Minneapolis, Minnesota How does it feel to be a practicing artist? That's a tough question, because it feels like a lot of things all at once. It feels like work, joy, vulnerability, play, and everything in between. I enjoy being an artist because it is a never-ending challenge of the mind, body, and spirit. Not many careers have as many twists and question marks and surprises as being an artist does. What is your artwork about? My current work employs the figure and narrative elements to explore complex social issues like race, multiculturalism, "otherness," representation, and identity. I investigate these through the use of the personal—often creating works depicting family, friends, people in my community, and personal experiences—to reflect the subtle and not-so-subtle integrations of these ideas into individual lives and identities. What inspires you? Humanity, in all its complexity and horridness and weirdness and loveliness. What is your biggest takeaway from MCAD? The community I found at MCAD was wonderful. I came away with many great relationships with faculty and other students that I hope to have for a lifetime. Any advice for prospective art and design students? Eat your vegetables! News about Leslie Barlow 10 February 2024Barlow Exhibits "Record of Home/Hearts" at Saint John's University Art Center 11 November 2023Barlow's "ConFluence" Happening in Northeast Minneapolis 21 July 2023Barlow Featured in Minnesota Monthly for Portrait Project View all news
How does it feel to be a practicing artist? That's a tough question, because it feels like a lot of things all at once. It feels like work, joy, vulnerability, play, and everything in between. I enjoy being an artist because it is a never-ending challenge of the mind, body, and spirit. Not many careers have as many twists and question marks and surprises as being an artist does. What is your artwork about? My current work employs the figure and narrative elements to explore complex social issues like race, multiculturalism, "otherness," representation, and identity. I investigate these through the use of the personal—often creating works depicting family, friends, people in my community, and personal experiences—to reflect the subtle and not-so-subtle integrations of these ideas into individual lives and identities. What inspires you? Humanity, in all its complexity and horridness and weirdness and loveliness.