Meet Bryanna Phimphachanh | Artist

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

Hi Bryanna, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. I think living in Los Angeles impacted who I am today because I’ve grown up surrounded by art. While the location of where I live definitely has some influences on my work and who I am I feel like my upbringing had more to do with who I’ve grown into. I experienced a lot of hardships growing up; issues I found very difficult to express and I completely turned to art as a means of escape and self-expression.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I work primarily in painting and more recently sculpture. I picked up sculpture last year and am totally in love with it. I’m really interested in the human form; exploring mainly my own body through my work. I deal with some body dysmorphia issues and I’ve found it quite intriguing to see how these preconceived notions I have of my own body translate to my work. For example, I made a series of breastplates formed from my own body. Through these pieces, I had to somewhat objectify myself to work but the outcome of the pieces I found beautiful; proud and excited to wear them.

To get to where I am today wasn’t a smooth road. To overcome the problems I faced I just had to push myself to keep going, keep creating. As hard as things may have gotten, and may get I know that all I can do is keep pushing, working to express myself and what I may feel or overcome. Since a lot of my work is quite personal, I really want authenticity and intimacy to come through within my work. I think that’s what I really strive for.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Definitely gonna hit Fika Fika before we go anywhere. The coffee there is amazing, my favorite is their jasmine latte. After we grab some coffee I think hitting some museums and galleries in LA such as the Norton Simon Museum, The Broad, Getty/Getty Villas, Hauser and Wirth, and maybe even head down to Laguna Beach to see some smaller art galleries and studios in that area. I think the great thing about the LA area is anywhere you go you’re bound to find art. LA also has a bunch of great thrift stores; I love hitting those and finding unique pieces and items to alter and elevate into your own. Some of my favorites are Goodwill, Hidden Treasures, Savers, Out of the Closet, and for sure the Los Feliz Flea.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mum, Michele Phimphachanh is totally my rock, I wouldn’t be where I am today without her support. Growing up she was super enthralled in the creative and fashion world; she designed clothing, made (and currently makes) jewelry, and always pushed for self-expression. Although when I was younger I might have not seen it but I think her creativity really influenced how I communicate. She also overcame so much in her life and I’m incredibly proud of her.

Website: bryannaalysa.com

Instagram: Bryannaalysa

Other: TikTok: Bryannaalysa

Image Credits
Siôrne John Andrew Pingry