Brainard Carey

“You cannot wait for an untroubled world to have an untroubled moment.”

-Lemony Snicket, Shouldn’t You Be in School?

When it seems like everything around you is turning upside down, perhaps it’s time to close your eyes for a moment. There’s no shame in stepping out of the raging current and giving yourself time to unwind the tension wires that have become tight and tangled. Even if your moment of peace is merely that, a moment, relish and revel in it. Do not let guilt in. It has no place here. You cannot spend every moment of every day in anxiety and fear.

Will Stovall joined us to discuss his show Kant Crisis, which was on view until July 12 at Ulrik Gallery in NYC. The show includes various works from the last two years, but the title derives from one in particular that draws inspiration from a drawing of an arch by German writer Heinrich von Kleist. To learn more about this and other aspects of the show and Stovall’s work, listen to the complete interview.

Paco Barragán joined us from Spain in 2022. We spoke about his book and his current curatorial work. He also discussed his philosophy as a curator, explaining that the curator now acts as narrator, whereas before, the “total curator” served as narrator, mythologist, and exhibition designer. To learn more about this and why Barragán believes the so-called “white cube” is dead, listen to the complete interview.

A few words to keep in your pocket

Breathe. Move. Release. Even if only for a moment.

Outings

Join me at Andrew Edlin Gallery for CO₂ Blues, an exhibition of work by the late Melvin Way

Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android, please click here. All weekly essay pieces are here in a shareable format. The full archive of interviews is here.

More books to read

Ours is a community of readers. Tell us what books you’re reading now by adding your titles to our reading list here. Praxis member Kevin is reading The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson.

Opportunities

The EGPAF invites global illustrators to depict “What does an AIDS-free generation mean to you?” For more information, visit the website. Deadline is July 31.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

Art careers can be full of uncertainty. That’s OK. The dips and dives, sharp curves and fog of navigating this field are to be expected, and you are not alone. When it all feels too much and you’re ready to throw in the towel, pause, take a breath and remember that no art career runs in a straight line. And remember that you have support. Here are a few opportunities to restart your engine if things have stalled out.

EFA Project Space announces the 2025 SHIFT Residency Open Call. From January to July 2025, six New York-based arts workers will have the opportunity to receive studio space, peer support, mentoring, and career development. Visit the website for more information. The application deadline is July 31.

Buckham Gallery enriches its community with innovative contemporary art. Applications for the 42nd Exhibition Season (October 2025 – September 2026) are open. Artists may receive partial shipping reimbursements. For more information, visit the website. Deadline is July 31.

The EGPAF invites global illustrators to depict “What does an AIDS-free generation mean to you?” For more information, visit the website. Deadline is July 31.

Praxis Center is built on the need for professional artist support. Your practice can only get you so far before you bump into the practicalities of an art career. That’s were we come in. We gather resources, experts, tools and skills from around the art world to help bolster your efforts and move you closer to success. Give Praxis a try today and see how far it can take you.

Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics and is currently faculty at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. He has written seven books for artists, including Making it in the Art World. His seventh book, The Problems in the Art World: An Artist’s A-Z Action Guide, is available now. 

Photo credit: Pediatric AIDS Foundation