Inside the Art Studio of LaToya Ruby Frazier
Today’s studio Sunday artist, LaToya Ruby Frazier, is a photographer based in Chicago, Illinois. In her practice, the artist turns a documentary eye toward issues of race and economics in the United States. The nature of Frazier’s subject matter means that her work is often confrontational, depicting injustice with a stark, unflinching vision.
Frazier’s studio looks vibrant in the above photo. The bright red wall frames the single photo hung there with a sense of drama and purpose, and the large blue bookcase behind Frazier gives the whole space a great sense of artistic aesthetics. Despite the bright colours, the studio space never loses its sense of seriousness -- looking at this photo, especially with the inclusion of the artist herself, I get the sense that there’s still a great deal of work to be done.
I’d love to know more about all the books and various documents or images in the case behind Frazier. It seems that the artist would have an excellent eye for important books or collections of visual art. I imagine the computer and printer in front of the artist is used equally for digital photo editing and research or writing.
Frazier was recently the recipient of a 2015 Chicago Genius Grant, a grant awarded by the MacArthur Foundation for artists, writers, and other creators who are producing work demonstrating excellent creativity as well as thought toward an improved future.