Meet Alana Givens

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana Givens. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have been an artist for most of my life, although my official studies began in 2015. That year was the start of my Associate’s degree in Graphics Illustration. Within that same year, I switched to Fine Arts major, which changed my whole career path completely. I received my Associate’s in Fine Arts in 2018, and from there I was offered a full ride to the Kansas City Art Institute. I received my BFA from the Kansas City Art Institute in 2020. There were many experiences within that time that have helped my practice as a present-day Studio Artist like Curatorial Internship, group and solo exhibitions, and even working in a museum environment. Today, I am a practicing and emerging studio artist and contemporary painter. I work at the Nelson Atkins Museum of Art. In future opportunities, I will work within many other Fine Art Museums, but solely for the purpose of Art Directing and Curatorial affairs. 

My goal in this time of my life is to expand my network, really push my artwork and communication to its fullest potential, with more intern and work experiences so that one day I will give back too many artists just as myself, opening my own gallery for others to be exposed, and maintaining my love for Curatorial to utmost priority. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has never been a smooth road to get where I am today. From the beginning, my family has lived a life struggling to get by. Most of my life was spent feeling as if I wasn’t good enough, specifically from that type of home environment. I was doing everything my mother was unable to achieve in her life, and because of that, she didn’t cheer me on. When I said I will attend college for art, no one could stop me. I was constantly in the studio, constantly working. I sold many belongings to move to Kansas City and to this day, I have graduated, had many experiences to further my career, and I don’t think I would have it any other way. I think the hardest struggles for an artist like myself and many others is how hard you really have to prepare yourself for the work you have to do in order to be where you need to be. Keeping yourself healthy with all the pressure on you is one of the more difficult things to pay attention to. It’s easy to lose your spark and get sick, and hard to pick yourself back up because I’ve definitely been there. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a contemporary painter! A studio artist by heart. I make installation-based art for my viewers to engage and interpret in multiple ways. I specialize in the use of non-traditional materials that allude to the complexity of our bodies. I make sure that I do in a way that shows the relationship between that and my hands. I always use materials in ways that they are not originally intended, and I believe that is why my work presents so uncanny and exciting. I am known for my very large installations with plaster, wire, thread, concrete, and found objects. The way I am not hiding behind the idea of precious craftsmanship when these forms are presented. The unintentional beauty that grotesque can bring out is highly recognizable in the textures and compositions I create. I think the way I have mastered what each art needs individually is something to be very proud of. 

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I read a lot of books on artwork that interests me like postminimalism, and even working in the museum really helps me explore what kind of artist I am becoming based on things that I find. My favorite books are the translated Eve Hesse diary, and How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell. These have helped me create in a more exploratory and emotional way. Jenny Odell speaks of another inspirational artist Mierle Ukeles. I like to listen to human biology podcasts and watch videos on certain hobbies like iron casting, mold making, and embroidery. 

Contact Info:

• Email: aelizabethgivens@gmail.com
• Instagram: lanagart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsLanag
• Other: https://aelizabethgivens.wixsite.com/mysite