We had the good fortune of connecting with Laurey Bennett-Levy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laurey, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
With a peacock! It’s how it all began. At the age of seven, my bunk was receiving an art lesson to make an animal sculpture. I veered away from her prescriptive steps and my campmates copied my sculpture. I knew at that moment…I was good. Now that peacock is my logo and symbol of my strength and discipline.

Three years later the tv broke and my mother refused to repair it so I withdrew into my bedroom onto my red beanbag chair. These two pivotal events were transformative as I became fully aware that I was seeing the world from a slightly different lens. I am excited to introduce you to my series, MITER, launching at The Superfine Art Fair on September 15th – 18th at the incredible space of The Market Line at 180 Broome St. in NYC.

There isn’t anything I can think of that I would be happy doing. Creating is how I survive, hide, thrive and heal.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
We all carry polarizing emotions of deep grief and rapture. With this series, I deconstruct my personal moments of divergent emotions, and feelings of marginalization, to either repair or relive these dichotomous experiences, with the hope that you too, can recall yours.

A “MITER” is a union formed between two edges that meet at an intersection.

The foundation of my work begins with unrecognized artisans who fabricate manhole covers, architectural grids, and moldings.

To execute, I rely on topical catalysts of urban lattice work by collecting repetitive geometrics as inspiration.

Eventually they take on organic form as I constantly reduce and redefine ordinary markers of existence, provoking one to rediscover the unnoticed and ubiquitous splendor of the unobserved and bring the outside, in.

This assemblage series merges my competence as a graphic designer and fine artist using an unusual combined process of photography, cyanotype, digital manipulation, lithography, monoprinting, silkscreening, oil painting, resin and collage.

In addition to painting, I aim to assist the underserved sector receive quality and equality arts in public schools and streamline the visual art process for emerging and mid-career artpreneurs in a free community space with speakers and resources.

I am an art advocate supporting local public schools in greater Los Angeles and have been selected by Arts for LA and The LA County Arts Education Collective to participate in their Fellowship Programs to ensure the underserved receive quality and equal arts education.

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?
To eat or meet for a drink: The Proper Hotel or Wallys in Santa Monica or Beverly Hills, Margot or Etta in Culver City To see local emerging artists: Bendix Building DTLA and Beacon Arts Building Artist Studio Complex in Westchester

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 artist community pushes me on a daily basis. Many I have met through Superfine Art Fair and Saatchi’s The Other Art Fair. Ironically, much of my support comes through the artists I have cultivated on Instagram. We share best practices, give advice and critiques and lift each other up from mood swings and when we feel terrified that we will never ever come up with anything again. Social media platforms CAN work if you make sure you’re self-auditing your emotions.

I also want to call out The Los Angeles Art Association that maintains consistent encouragement to promote artists and art in greater Los Angeles.

Oh, and of course, my mom, hahaha ;).

Website: http://www.laureybennettlevy.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laureybennettlevy

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