Meet Kaitlin Bryson | Artist & Community Mycologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaitlin Bryson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlin, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I am inspired by the phenomenal world of fungi. Particularly, how adaptive, and resilient they are; how they eat decay and create fertility, how they communicate and coordinate with other species in an ecosystem to make decisions about the distribution of resources. In this way, I am most inspired by how their very lifestyles have evolved and nurtured life on our planet. I am fascinated by watching mycelium grow, the performance of “mushroom hunting” and collaboratively working with these organisms for art and ecological renewal.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I make artwork for and with the living world. My art practice stems from a life-long practice of land cultivation and remains rooted in the intelligence of ecosystems; recognizing what is sown (or created) carries a life of its own, exists in a vast, indeterminate system, and when composed of mutually-beneficial ingredients, fosters relationships for healing and load-sharing. I work with a variety of media – fungi, plants, soil, textiles, sculpture, video and social practice – to address issues of environmental, climate and social justice. Using only biodegradable materials, I endeavor to make work that is materially low-to-no impact and does not create harmful waste or participate in a global, capital economy. I seek to instead facilitate the economy of the more-than-human world by creating habitats, ecosystems, and microbial forms of nourishment. It is my goal that at the “end” of my artworks all of the used materials become compost for the earth and/or substrate for mushrooms. Overall, my artistic practice is committed to facilitating post-human environments and dialogues that foster inclusion and justice, celebrate (bio)diversity, challenge dominant paradigms and center alternative ways of learning, knowing and being.

I am most excited and proud of my collaborative work towards environmental justice on Native lands with the Indigenous organization Tewa Women United (TWU) in New Mexico. We’ve worked together on myco/bioremediative installations for earth repair in the Tewa Ancestral Homelands (Española, NM & Los Alamos, New Mexico) as well as in Dinéh Tah (Navajo Nation). These projects have been centered around acknowledgement and healing for lands suffering from systemic injustices and toxicity due to the (continued) violence from extractive industries and the industrial war complex. It has been a deep honor to work alongside TWU and other folks towards these means and to use my art practice to merely amplify the work that they’re already doing.

It has not been an easy path, professionally, to forge an art career that attempts to make work by unmaking materials… Meaning that when I work with fungi and other biodegradable materials, my works are literally disappearing and decaying – becoming consumed by other lifeforms. Further challenges for me have included operating on the fringes of art, science, and activism as I feel I am somewhat of an outsider in each field. However, being this sort-of outsider/in-between/queer person has allowed me to explore complexity rather than specificity thereby facilitating diverse perspectives, radical ideas and a somewhat fearless mindset (in regards to making). I guess I don’t feel beholden to a singular idea or entity and that acknowledgement is really freeing and opens a ton of possibilities. I’ve also learned a lot from collaborations with people and with the more-than-human world. These opportunities have shown me how important it is to show up and listen, quiet my own mind, and pay attention and respond to what’s actually present.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am really interested in the urban ecology of LA and how the city meets with forested and cultivated landscapes. So, I would take my friend on some park tours, starting in Elysian. I love going to Elysian Park — there’s so much to explore and the giant Eucalyptus tree canopy is a great place to hang out and bring a picnic to. I also like a good workout/climb in Griffith Park especially at sunset, so you don’t get totally burnt by the exposure and then get rewarded with an amazing 360 sunset city view at the top. Recently, I’ve also really been vibing with the Los Angeles State Historic Park. I’m obsessed with the native landscaping that was done and the wide-open spaces for (more) picnics and places to play games with friends. In terms of eating and drinking, mmm I love natural wine and my favorite spot for wine is Vinovore. For food, Kombu in Silverlake has amazing vegetarian sushi and Blossom never gets old. My favorite art spot is Metabolic Studios when they host Thursday night hangouts.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Without the unwavering support of my partner, Matea Friend, I would be totally lost. Choosing to pursue a career in the arts can often feel challenging because of how precarious and unstable it is at times. Having a partner who fully sees, supports, and understands the complexities of this pursuit is the most grounding force. This person has fostered my growth in the last year, especially. They’re also an amazing artist and our conversations about art, the living world, science, and technology have inspired many artworks and even collaborations between the two of us.

Image Credits
Title: “Trans[re]lations” 2020, Kaitlin Bryson and Matea Friend, sound by Ian Nelson
Title: “In the End, There is Only Life” 2021, Kaitlin Bryson
Title: “When Civilization Fails to Serve, it Must Collapse, Kaitlin Bryson
Title: “Many Hands, Mycoremediation series and workshops”, Kaitlin Bryson, Beata Tsosie-Peña and Tewa Women United