Meet Tan Jazz Mont | Artist-Professor-Badass

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tan Jazz Mont and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tan Jazz, what do you think makes you most happy? Why?
Art making. In my youth, I created art to cope with my surroundings. As I started to get older, I wanted to change the world by using my voice as a Queer Chicanx person. Now, I cannot help but feel a little Nihilistic. What even matters anymore? That said, we have one life to live, and I choose happiness!
Seeing a viewer smile or chuckle while looking at my art also makes me happy because I feel joy in our shared humor, especially from disenfranchised people (because they get it).
I can’t help but be inspired by my interests or the memories I am working through, but I’m mostly a painting nerd! I love setting up the rules of formalism only to destroy them purposefully. I love the figure, color, texture, absurdity, campiness, and play, which are factors in my painting style.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I draw and paint striking genre portraits and narratives. When I create, I allow the medium to be true to its physical properties. I am aggressive and free in my painting and mark-making. If my artworks appear “sophisticated,” I find ways to manipulate them. I set up expectations and then defy them.

The stylized imagery of my figures and settings can sometimes transform into complete abstraction, just like my memories. My characters are unique, but they also symbolize a variety of people. Like the absurd way I paint, they smile with a jaded weariness and appreciation for life’s contradictions.

I portray my characters in a positive light, almost reverentially, but there’s always a wink-wink celebratory tone to my work, humor without mockery.

Getting where I am today, being simple or challenging, is relative. Everyone goes through it, and everyone struggles. Despite a rough upbringing or because of it, I have always been goal-oriented.
I am proud to have graduated from Cal State Fullerton with my BFA and Claremont Graduate University with my MFA.

I am also pleased with the solo and group exhibitions I have participated in.
My current exhibition is one that I’m very proud of, and it has been a pleasure to see people responding positively. I have also enjoyed guest speaking and providing art talks and lessons to the community.

I currently work with a program called We The People Cultural Consortium, a program where instructors share their experiences with formerly incarcerated women. I have also worked with College 4 Kids, a local program instructing art to fourth and fifth-graders.
Perhaps I am most proud of seeing my passionate art students transform with just a nudge of inspiration . My class is always a safe place for my students.

What I would like the world to know now is that I am in my “You do you booboo, era.” If we’re not cool or don’t vibe, we don’t have to be in each other’s life, which is valid and a relief!
I have been recently diagnosed with ADHD, and I am now realizing that I have been in survival mode for most of my life. I was forced to mature at a young age, and now that I’m grown and have my life sorted out, I make it a point to put my peace and happiness first.

Aging has been wild. At 40, I see the wrinkles forming, but the best part of turning 40 has been confidence. I used to beg and scream for it as a teenage punk, but now, I have it; this quiet self-assurance is all that I have ever wanted.

I’m currently working on a few large-scale paintings. I am also working on a giant sketchbook of handmade paper called TrauMemories.
I write and illustrate an anecdote here and there from my past.
When I finish, I would like to publish it. It will be my life story, in a way.
Two more things I want everyone to know about me:
1. We only have one life people; live it, and be happy.
2. Draw what you see, not what you think you see.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’re heading east toward the desert when we want to feel peaceful. We can go on a nature walk, hit a few local galleries, grab food, and take in a show at Pappy & Harriet’s.
Going to Long Beach, we can check out my homie, Shane Dixon, at the Angels Gate Cultural Center before catching Drag King, Landon Cider at Hamburger Mary’s or Harvelle’s for some rock and roll burlesque by Little Miss Nasty
Going to Los Angeles, we’re hitting up the LA Arboretum and Huntington Library.
And all the Museums and galleries!
Shoutout to Durden and Ray, Torrance Art Museum, the Night Gallery, Art and Practice in Leimert Park, Blum, SMART OBJECTS, Charlie James Gallery, Hauser and Wirth, Luis De Jesus Los Angeles, Philip Martin Gallery, PRJCTLA, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Walter Maciel Gallery, and Wonzimer.

LA. Has the best food. Hit up any taco truck, and you should be good. Or go to Phillipes’ for a damn good sandwich. I also enjoy Al Watan Halal Tandoori Restaurant, Emporium Thai, and Elf Cafe has some good Mediterranean. My favorite LA eatery, though, is Canter’s. I love matzo ball soup.
I also frequent many concerts, and LA has some noteworthy venues.
If we’re in The Riv, we gotta go to The Cheech and R.A.M. Shoutout to Cheech for bringing more art to the community!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have always tried to surround myself with genuine people and I have been very fortunate. Ian Trout, thank you for the nomination. Ian and I attended undergraduate and graduate school together, and he’s a phenomenal artist. I have also had a few stand-out artist professors: Kyung Sun Cho, Jade Jewett, David Amico, Rachel Lachowicz, David Pagel, and Carmine Iannaccone.

Early in my career, I was inspired by Taiyo La Paix, and we now have a beautiful friendship. Perry Marks, Rolo Castillo, and Conchi Sanford are all fantastic artists, curators, and friends. Katie Grip and Dakota Xgender (Amazing artists) deserve shoutouts. Rebecca Hamm has always supported me and my career. Ericka Ryan Stallones, thank you for mentioning an opening at Moreno Valley College, one of the community colleges I work for. Amy Balent, who just retired from MVC, has been my constant mentor. Frederick Fulmer, artist, curator, and gallery owner on Artsy. Seth Pringle, who I worked alongside at The First Street Gallery, is now Associate Director of Exhibitions & Collections at The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art.

I currently have a solo show at The Claremont Lewis Museum of Art in conjunction with the group exhibition, Home in Aztlán: The Garcia Collection of Chicanx Art. (Cathy and Frank Garcia have great taste.)
Lastly, I’d like to Shoutout Mike McLain, who interweaves geometric abstraction, pattern, and color on various surfaces to create optical effects that produce the illusion of movement and depth. I have known Mike since grad school; we worked at The First Street Gallery too, and he’s been my curator, mentor, comedic relief, fellow music nerd, and touchstone.

Website: https://clmoa.org/exhibit/one-of-your-girls-or-your-homies-tan-jazz-mont/

Instagram: @tanjazzmont

Other: https://www.artsy.net/artist/tania-jazz-mont