STATEMENT
Through the use of signs, signifiers, and symbols, my work positions queer individualism against the homogenization of gay culture. I employ visual elements as a vernacular that allows "gay" to become universal. My artistic practice utilizes implication, innuendo, and “queer” humor as materials, examining the structures and systems of masculinity, gestures of queer identity, and the sexualized appropriation of space. I focus on exploring gay identity through an understanding of a collective queer visual culture. My work encourages viewers to question their political and personal beliefs about gender, the concept of “the other,” notions of pleasure, identity archetypes, constructed LGBTQ “characters,” and the systems associated with masculinity.
My pieces challenge viewers to decode objects based on their knowledge of gay customs. The concept of “place” is integral to my work, and I am particularly interested in how the recognition of spaces as “gay” (whether that knowledge is derived from prior understanding or through my work) informs and familiarizes certain viewers with queer forms. I do not aim to educate a broader audience about these systems or symbols (such as the rainbow flag or “friend of Dorothy”), but rather to highlight their existence as examples of the diverse expressions of sexuality, many of which have historically developed out of necessity.
The appropriation of symbols and objects as tools for visual communication is not a novel concept. Underground Railroad quilts, handkerchief codes, hobo symbols, and graffiti have all been employed to convey coded messages, indicate ownership, or signify identity. Many of my works draw on a family history of quilting, sewing, and woodworking. Often, the materials I select carry a deeper connection to place, symbolism, or narrative. Throughout the process of creating and installing these objects, I can reveal or conceal these deeper connections as I choose, much like how individuals within the LGBTQ community can choose to reveal or conceal their sexual identities.
My research focuses on themes such as pornography, beauty, desire, and pleasure, while also engaging with queer theory, gender dynamics, and masculinity studies. My work reflects on identity—whether personal, American, male, gay male, or LGBTQ—and examines how the body, figuration, and abstraction serve as tools for exploring the duality and complexity in the ongoing quest to define the elusive “queer aesthetic.”
Ultimately, at the heart of every relationship lies a yearning for intimacy, which often begins with, or is sometimes mistaken for desire. My work seeks to illustrate, explore, and expand upon that intimacy and desire, focusing on the body as the object of those desires. I use sculpture and installation to foster an understanding of collective queer culture and to highlight the often-hidden relationships between space and longing.
Social: INSTAGRAM
SHOW RECORD:
ONGOING PROJECTS
"UNTITLED (7 POZ QUESTIONS)", Oral Histories Project, 2013 - Present
"NO FATS, NO FEMS", 2014 - 2018
"(EVERYDAY) SIGHTS, (FORGOTTEN) NON-SIGHTS", Data Collection/Mapping: Gay Hookup Spaces, 2013 - 2014
2019
SOLO, insideOUT, May 23, 2019, San Diego CA
2017
"ManUp", Cerritos College Art Gallery, October 26 - December 5, 2017, Norwalk CA
"ManUp", Wignall Museum of Contemporary Art, January 9 - March 11, 2017, Rancho Cucamonga CA
2016
"ART OF PRIDE", Pride San Diego, May 3-27, 2016 (Installation), San Diego CA
2015
"50 to WATCH", The Studio Door, San Diego CA
2014
“2014 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition”, Krannert Art Museum, Champaign IL
"Where the Tracks End", Boneyard Arts Fest 2014, Champaign IL
"Parsing Desire", Ugly Step Sister Art Gallery, Chicago IL
2013
"The Invisible Light", Visual Arts Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Fond du Lac, Fond du Lac WI
"In the Flesh 4", Target Gallery at Torpedo Art Center, Alexandria VA
"Artificial Turf", Peanut Gallery, Chicago IL
"Post-Conceptual Glitter", Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin- Green Bay, Green Bay WI
2012
“Hot Wax in the City”, Morpho Gallery, Chicago IL
“you i you see”, Co-Prosperity Sphere, Chicago IL
“Scott James Vanidestine”, Indi Go Gallery, Champaign IL (Solo Exhibition)
“Ass and Titties: An Exhibit of Lust, Love, and Sexual Frustration”, Champaign IL
"The Sex Issue, Volume 7", Projekt30: Online Exhibition
2011
“Haystack Arts Center Summer Exhibition”, Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Deer Isle MA
2010
"Senior Exhibition 2", Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay WI
2009
“37th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Green bay, Green Bay WI
“65th Annual Art Annual”, Neville Public Museum, Green Bay WI
“Pride Alive Northeastern Wisconsin Pride Art Exhibition”, Green Bay WI
2008
“36th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay WI
“7th Annual Academic Excellence Symposium”, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay WI
2007
“35th Annual Juried Exhibition”, Lawton Gallery, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay WI
PUBLICATIONS
A&U - America's AIDS Magazine: Scott James Vanidestine: Advocate, January 2017
Huffington Post: Artists Tackle Stale Ideas Of Masculinity That Restrict People Of All Genders, January 2017
The Studio Door: 50 to Watch, January 2015
Masters of Fine Art Thesis: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2014
Hyperallergic: Flying High with Selfies, May 2014
Fourth Estate: Lawton Gallery Glitters with Art Talent, March 2013
Peninsula Pulse: The Flying Pig Gallery Welcomes Emerging Artist Scott Vanidestine, August 2010
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign: Masters of Fine Art, 2014
Studio (Emphasis: Painting & Sculpture)
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: Bachelor of the Arts, Dual Degree, 2010
Studio (Emphasis: Drawing & Painting), Dean’s List High Honors
Design (Emphasis: Graphic Design, Print, and Web)
Anderson Ranch Arts Center: Advanced Painting Studio with Suzanne McClelland, 2008
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design: Non-Degree, 1998 - 2001
Studio (Emphasis: Drawing & Printmaking)
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:
Life Drawing (Figure): Instructor of Record, 2014
Junior Studio (Painting & Sculpture): Instructor of Record, 2013
Foundations Drawing: Teaching Assistant with Joel Ross, 2013
Drawing for Non-Majors: Instructor of Record, 2013
Junior Studio (New Media, Painting & Sculpture): Instructor of Record, 2012
Drawing for Non-Majors: Teaching Assistant with Laurie Hogin, 2011
Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Encaustic Painting Workshop Taught by Kristy Deetz
Teaching Assistant, 2011
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: Intro Painting, Instructor of Record, 2010 - 2011
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: Painting/Drawing Department, Teaching Assistant, 2008 - 2010
The ArtGarage: Painting & Watercolor: K-5th Grade, Instructor, Green Bay WI, 2008
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: "Encaustic: Reveal and Conceal", Painting Workshop
Teaching Assistant with Kristy Deetz, 2008
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay: "Fantasy Maps", Teaching Assistant, 2008