Meet Elza Burkart | Artist & Curator

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

Hi Elza, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe Risk is vital, but I like to think of it more as a CHOICE, rather than a risk, because you really cannot predict an outcome. Every success has come from making a choice, and also from the choices made when enduring a difficult time or challenge. I’m naturally anxious and have a habit of picturing every single possible outcome before doing something, which is a quick way to get overwhelmed and psych yourself out. I’ve had to remind myself that I’m not psychic and to dive in anyway. You aren’t in control of anything OTHER than your presence, your life and career (one and the same) aren’t going to flourish if you stay in stagnant waters.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a painter and illustrator, I paint figurative works based on personal photographs that dip into a surreal realm. A lot of my work features feminine characters simply existing without any sort of caution, shame, figures that are free to be unrestrained. I do this because I have never met a person, especially female identifying, who hasn’t always felt the eyes of others watching their every move, who have never felt that pleasure is free. I’m insistent about painting portraits of the people around me at their most natural, liberated state. I also do a lot of really fun collaborations with other artists, I did a merch product with one of my favorite country artists, Jonathan Terrell. I’ve done a lot of poster designs, t-shirt graphics and album covers, collaboration has been instrumental in teaching me to be adaptable and quick with ideas, it’s not always easy but it’s usually always worth it. Coming to a stage where I’m working consistently, hasn’t been a straight easy road. I didn’t go to art school, or college, I’ve had to learn on my own and forge my own connections. One things that’s helped is becoming very pragmatic, and direct. If I’m in a period where I’m not feeling very creative or inspired (which happens more than I want to admit) I will sit and go through current publications I think are interesting ( Huck, LA record, Cereal, Broccoli Mag etc) I will dig through the staff index until I find a relevant person to contact (in my case it’s generally an art editor) or a submission editor and either I reach out/ check out their social media. If our vibes seem to align I will follow them and engage socially. Constant outreach leads to opportunities, and deadlines are the best way to shake off creative slumps, and there’s nothing like seeing your work in print. Honestly it’s not guaranteed that you get a response, and I advise you not to take “no” or silence personally, move on and do your best for the opportunities that DO respond. The more you work, the more paths open up to you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was coming in for a visit, I think we’d start the day with a little morning hike through Elysian (my pre coffee ritual. I don’t sleep much and the views shatter my sleepless grumpiness) After the loop, we could wander down echo park ave and make our way down to Cosmic Vinyl on Sunset/Mohawk for a coffee and a bite. I can’t leave without picking up some treasures from the new arrivals bins, and everyone that works there is a pleasure. From there, we’d go next door to Wilder, a beautifully curated vintage store. Susan the owner has THE best denim and vintage workwear, she has impeccable taste so it makes indulging in a little retail therapy very easy. Afterwards I would take my friend downtown to hit up These Days, a gallery and store between Main and Los Angeles. It’s usually by appointment but their bookstore is FULL of absolutely incredible works by newer artists is incredibly accessible. Definitely a place to get a future classic, and get your finger on the pulse of what’s next. No visit downtown is complete without a tea from Bohemian House of Espresso and Chai, Blackie the owner always has the best jazz records playing and is one of the most brilliant storytellers I have ever met. Plus if you’ve never tried organic camel milk now’s the time. From there a stroll through HauserWirth to work up an appetite and indulge next door at Manuela. My favorite thing to get there is the skillet cornbread and a glass (or three) of champagne at the bar. A perfect day is not complete without a little self care in the afternoon and one of my favorite ways to spend a day with a close friend is at a Korean Spa.
My favorite is Hugh Spa on Vermont, the tranquility has reset me time and time again and the Himalayan salt sauna is incredible. It’s $30 for a day pass and after spending a few hours there you come out completely revived. By then it’s time for a nice dinner, so I would take them to Atrium, in Los Feliz. I prefer to sit at the bar (always) and order half the menu to accompany whatever magical seasonal cocktail they’ve made. I’ve been known to go multiple times a week, it’s a problem.
After a good decadent feast, I love to watch a movie and BrainDead on Fairfax (the old Cinefamily) usually has a late show. Their programing is super fun, and it’s special to be able to see a cult classic on film, the way it was intended to be seen! After the movie (it’s probably approaching 1am at this point) we can duck into the Kibitz room for a night cap, until they close and then nosh on fries at Canters, the next room over, to talk about the movie.. Canters never closes so there’s no rush to get home. I love this city, there’s a million places I would want to take someone, but that feels like my absolute dream day.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
During quarantine 2020 (early days) I picked up this book called Funny Weather, by Olivia Laing. It’s a series of essays and artist profiles spanning her whole writing career and the essential theme of the book is the case of WHY art matters, especially during turbulent political times. There are profiles on Derek Jarman, Sargy Mann, Ali Smith, O’Keefe… It took me on such a deep dive into artists I’ve respected without ever really understanding why they mattered, and made me see the world around me in a more thoughtful way, which was a nice breakthrough at a time when I was spending a lot more time alone. I give this book to any friend that is going through a creative rut. Another one is a book released by Delphian Gallery, a contemporary artist run gallery and it’s a pocket book called Navigating The Art World (professional practice for the early career artist) and it’s been a huge help and comfort. I’m lucky to have some solid mentors that I can actually look to for advice (thank you a million times Gabriel Shaffer) but before that, this book was a little guiding light. For anyone that’s putting together their first body of work, submitting to shows, etc, I’d recommend keeping this in your back pocket.

Website: www.elzaburkart.com

Instagram: @elzaburkart

Other: www.mortalmachinenola.com