# Brian Sherwin > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brian_Sherwin > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Brian_Sherwin.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Sherwin > Source revision: 1356605792 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American art critic, writer, and blogger}} '''Brian Sherwin''' (born January 22, 1980) is an American [art critic](/source/art_critic), [writer](/source/writer), and [blog](/source/blog)ger with a degree from [Illinois College](/source/Illinois_College) in 2003. Sherwin is a founding Management Team member of the artist social networking site [myartspace](/source/myartspace), where he also served as Senior Editor for six years. As Senior Editor for myartspace.com Sherwin established an extensive interview series with emerging and established visual artists. Sherwin currently writes for FineArtViews and is the editor of The Art Edge. Sherwin is also an [advocate](/source/advocacy) for youth [art education](/source/art_education).[http://www.jacksonvilleareachamber.org/pdf/May%2008%20Chamber%20Review.pdf "Eclectic The Chamber Review: Artists Co-Op and Gallery Announces Scholarships for Youth"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726200745/http://www.jacksonvilleareachamber.org/pdf/May%2008%20Chamber%20Review.pdf |date=July 26, 2011 }}, http://www.jacksonvilleareachamber.org. Retrieved 21 March 2009.[http://www.myjournalcourier.com/articles/art_17151___article.html/gallery_damsgaard.html "Journal-Courier: Art Surplus Just in Time "] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324012743/http://www.myjournalcourier.com/articles/art_17151___article.html/gallery_damsgaard.html |date=March 24, 2008 }}, http://www.myjournalcourier.com. Retrieved 21 March 2009. ==Life and work== Brian Sherwin was the Senior Editor for myartspace and continues to be an advocate for emerging artists.[http://www.myartspace.com/view/about-managementteam.jsp "Contact us: Brian Sherwin"], Myartspace. Retrieved 8 May 2008. His interview series for myartspace was titled ''Art Space Talk'' and was included in the myartspace Weekly Featured Art Edition. The Weekly was an 'opt-in' only publication sent to subscribers by email, and can be found archived on the site.[http://www.myartspace.com/weekly/ "Weekly Featured Art Edition archive"] Since 2006, Sherwin has interviewed over 500 emerging and established artists and has conducted up to 30 interviews per month.[http://www.myartspace.com/interviews "Myartspace interviews"], Myartspace. Retrieved 8 May 2008.[http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/4257/myartspace.html "Cut n Paste Weblog"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610204840/http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/10/view/4257/myartspace.html |date=June 10, 2011 }}, designboom.com. Retrieved 8 Jan 2009. Sherwin said, "I consider myself to be one of the few authentic neutral voices at this time as far as reporting what is really going on in the art world instead of being told what I should report on and when. Neutral with a bite." The [Stuckism](/source/Stuckism) web site said:
Brian Sherwin is the senior editor on the myartspace site, with a widespread reputation for his extensive and non-partisan interview series with over 400 artists. This is unique in its scope in contemporary art writing, encompassing world famous names such as James Rosenquist, as well as relatively unknown artists whom he considers of worth. In total it constitutes an invaluable record of contemporary art, as seen through the words of its practitioners.[http://www.stuckism.com/Sherwin.html "Brian Sherwin"], [Stuckism](/source/Stuckism) web site. Retrieved 30 January 2009.
Sherwin's "Art Space Talk" series of interviews involves his conversations with representatives from the business side of the art world. He has interviewed several editors and publishers from the mainstream art community. Including, Amir Fallah (''Beautiful/Decay Magazine''), Steven Zevitas (New American Paintings), [Mark Staff Brandl](/source/Mark_Staff_Brandl) ([Art in America](/source/Art_in_America)) and [David Lee](/source/David_Lee_(art_critic)) (Art Review, The Jackdaw). His typical questions involve topics such as the state of the [art world](/source/art_world), the validity of contemporary [art fairs](/source/art_fairs), and other topics related to the professional art world when interviewing art magazine editors, publishers, curators, and art critics. Sherwin's interviews and articles explore the academic community. He often asks interviewees about their [art school](/source/art_school) backgrounds, influential instructors that they have had, and suggestions for current art students. His interviews were mentioned in the May 16 and July 19, 2008, editions of the [San Francisco Art Institute](/source/San_Francisco_Art_Institute) newsletter "SFAI/INFORM" which is archived SFAI website. His interviews with SFAI alumni Seth Lower and Christian Schumann included topics focused on the SFAI program and advice for future students. Sherwin's interview with Schumann was also featured on the [Juxtapoz](/source/Juxtapoz) website. Sherwin's on-going interview series, which has continued on FineArtViews, serves to document aspects of contemporary art culture. He bridges the mainstream art scene and the underground art scene in his interviews. He has interviewed mainstream artists, [Michael Craig-Martin](/source/Michael_Craig-Martin), [Vito Acconci](/source/Vito_Acconci), [James Rosenquist](/source/James_Rosenquist), [Sylvia Sleigh](/source/Sylvia_Sleigh), [Georgina Starr](/source/Georgina_Starr), [Patrick Brill](/source/Patrick_Brill), [William T. Wiley](/source/William_T._Wiley), [Norman Carlberg](/source/Norman_Carlberg), [Bo Bartlett](/source/Bo_Bartlett), [Janet Biggs](/source/Janet_Biggs), [Pat Lipsky](/source/Pat_Lipsky), [Sarah Maple](/source/Sarah_Maple) and [Aleksandra Mir](/source/Aleksandra_Mir),[http://www.aleksandramir.info/bibliography.html "Bibliography (1995-2007)"], Aleksandramir.info. Retrieved 10 May 2008. Sherwin's interview listed. artists associated with the underground art scene, [Alex Grey](/source/Alex_Grey), [Blaine Fontana](/source/Blaine_Fontana), [Chet Zar](/source/Chet_Zar), [Mark Ryden](/source/Mark_Ryden), Laurie Lipton, [David Stoupakis](/source/David_Stoupakis) and Sas Christian, and members of alternative contemporary art movements, Defastenism and [Stuckism](/source/Stuckism).[http://www.stuckism.com/interviews.html "Interviews with Stuckists"], Stuckism.com. Retrieved 8 May 2008. for myartspace. For FineArtViews Sherwin has interviewed art organizers such as Rick DeVos of [ArtPrize](/source/ArtPrize)[http://faso.com/fineartviews/32107/fineartviews-interview-rick-devos-founder-of-artprize "FineArtViews Interview: Rick DeVos -- Founder of ArtPrize"], Faso.com FineArtViews. Retrieved 07 January 2012. and CJ Follini of COMPANY,[http://faso.com/fineartviews/35411/fineartviews-interview-cj-follini-co-founder-and-ceo-of-company "FineArtViews Interview: CJ Follini -- Co-Founder and CEO of COMPANY"], Faso.com FineArtViews. Retrieved 07 January 2012. and artists such as [Blek le Rat](/source/Blek_le_Rat)[http://faso.com/fineartviews/33884/fineartviews-interview-blek-le-rat-xavier-prou-originator-of-stencil-graffiti-art-living-legend-of-the-street-art-graffiti-art-scene "FineArtViews Interview: Blek le Rat (Xavier Prou) -- Originator of Stencil Graffiti Art, Living Legend of the Street Art / Graffiti Art Scene"], Faso.com FineArtViews. Retrieved 07 January 2012. on topics ranging from online art marketing to issues over copyright infringement. Sherwin has also interviewed authors and musicians. Including, his interview with bassist [Sean Yseult](/source/Sean_Yseult) of [White Zombie](/source/White_Zombie_(band)),[https://archive.today/20120712082956/http://legacy.roadrunnerrecords.com/blabbermouth.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=147850 "Former WHITE ZOMBIE Bassist Discusses Upcoming Book"], Roadrunnerrecords.com BlabberMouth. Retrieved 18 February 2012. author [Janet Evanovich](/source/Janet_Evanovich),[http://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/232/janet-evanovich "Brian Sherwin interviews Janet Evanovich "], Bookbrowse.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012. and author [Anne Bishop](/source/Anne_Bishop).[http://annebishop.com/a.interviews.html "Interviews"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211022201/http://annebishop.com/a.interviews.html |date=February 11, 2012 }}, annebishop.com. Retrieved 18 February 2012. Sherwin is also an artist.Monson, Marissa. ''Art Works'', [Illinois Times](/source/Illinois_Times), (July 2007), pg.11, Sherwin's work featured on front cover of Illinois Times He lives in [Illinois](/source/Illinois), USA, and campaigns for more prominence for art. ==Notable discourse== In 2007, Sherwin interviewed Kirsten Anderson, who owns the Roq la Rue Gallery, Seattle.[http://www.juxtapoz.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=1891 "Kirsten Anderson on Pop Surrealism"]{{Dead link|date=November 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, ''[Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine](/source/Juxtapoz_Art_%26_Culture_Magazine)'', 22 October 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2008. Anderson is the author of ''Pop Surrealism: The Rise of Underground Art''. In her interview with Sherwin she discussed the relationship between [Street art](/source/Street_art), [Pop surrealism](/source/Pop_surrealism) and [Lowbrow](/source/Lowbrow_(art_movement)), as well as the growth of ''[Juxtapoz](/source/Juxtapoz_Art_%26_Culture_Magazine)'' magazine, which she thought had "morphed itself into a street art magazine.". The exchange between Sherwin and Anderson has been referenced on several online communities and forums. In 2009, Sherwin interviewed Wikipedia co-founder [Jimmy Wales](/source/Jimmy_Wales). The interview focused on what passes for notability in respect to visual artist bios on Wikipedia among other things. In the course of the interview Sherwin questioned Wales about widespread allegations that Wikipedia has failed to offer adequate art coverage. Wales stressed that he feels that coverage of the arts on Wikipedia needs to be improved and admitted that there are "''gaps in coverage''". He told Sherwin about some of the difficulties that arise when establishing notability and stated, "''We're able to find "notability" in lots of different places and for lots of different reasons''."[https://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/art-space-talk-jimmy-wales-part-1.html "Art Space Talk: Jimmy Wales"], Myartspace.com. Retrieved 24 April 2011.[https://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/2009/05/art-space-talk-jimmy-wales-part-2.html "Art Space Talk: Jimmy Wales"], Myartspace.com. Retrieved 24 April 2011. When Sherwin pressed Wales about his interpretation of what makes a visual artist notable by Wikipedia standards Wales replied that there are "''no easy answers''". Wales later stated that he agreed with art critic [Jerry Saltz](/source/Jerry_Saltz) that some Wikipedia artist entries are "bogus" while others are the "best". Wales informed Sherwin that his greatest hope is that Wikipedia "in some small ways" can help the public to appreciate art and art education. In the course of the interview Wales suggested that the art community should welcome the Wikipedia community stating that the Wikipedia project will help "''bring art to everyone in a way that will drive interest in sustaining and protecting art in the long run.''" In 2011 Sherwin had a follow-up in a second interview with Wales and other [Wikimedia Foundation](/source/Wikimedia_Foundation) staff for Faso.com's FineArtViews blog. Wales offered thoughts about the various art focused projects on Wikipedia and some of the controversy surrounding Wikipedia articles about art. Liam Wyatt of the Wikimedia Foundation stated, "''I would argue that, more than any other subject area, Art is so diverse there is no way that we could have hard/fast rules about what makes an artist notable.''" when asked about the difficulty of deciding if an artist is notable or not. When asked if Wikipedia staff help to create art related articles Jay Walsh responded with, "''The Foundation itself is not engaged in the creation of new articles, nor partnerships with art galleries. Typically these are initiatives undertaken by volunteers or chapters of volunteers directly.''".[http://faso.com/fineartviews/32784/fineartviews-interview-jimmy-wales-jay-walsh-and-liam-wyatt-of-the-wikimedia-foundation-concerning-visual-art-articles-on-wikipedia "FineArtViews Interview: Jimmy Wales, Jay Walsh, and Liam Wyatt -- of the Wikimedia Foundation concerning Visual Art articles on Wikipedia"], Faso.com. Retrieved 07 January 2012. In 2011, Sherwin interviewed [art critic](/source/art_critic) [Mat Gleason](/source/Mat_Gleason) of [Coagula Art Journal](/source/Coagula_Art_Journal) for Faso.com's FineArtViews blog. Sherwin described Gleason as being a "bare-knuckled art critic". The interview between Sherwin and Gleason focused on [contemporary art](/source/contemporary_art) criticism and the role of [art blog](/source/art_blog)’s in present day art criticism among other issues. Gleason suggested to Sherwin that art blogs and the development of new media have become a "blow" to traditional print art magazines. Gleason and Sherwin also discussed how art [bloggers](/source/bloggers) form a "pack mentality" based on region and perceived significance.[http://faso.com/fineartviews/27987/fineartviews-interview-mat-gleason-art-critic-and-founder-of-coagula-art-journal "FineArtViews Interview: Mat Gleason -- Art Critic and Founder of Coagula Art Journal"], Faso.com - FineArtViews. Retrieved 24 April 2011.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/26/fineartsviews-interviews-_n_828719.html "FineArtViews Interviews Mat Gleason, Art Critic/Founder of Coagula"], Huffington Post. Retrieved 24 April 2011. ==Publications and blogs== Sherwin is a reviewer and a contributing writer for ''Hi Fructose Magazine''. Sherwin's articles for "Hi Fructose" document topics involving the underground and counter culture art scene. His articles include a review of Insect Lab, a series of controversial cybernetic sculptures by [Mike Libby](/source/Mike_Libby) that involve insects and mechanics.Sherwin, Brian. ''Insect Lab'', Hi Fructose Magazine, (Fall 2007), Vol. 6 Sherwin also covered the Kokeshi Project, a series of shows organized by Christina Conway, that involve [Kokeshi](/source/Kokeshi) figurines painted by 74 artists representing 13 countries. In the article Sherwin pinned the name "Culture Kokeshi" when describing the international and contemporary appeal of the figurines displayed in the Kokeshi Project compared to the territorial roots of traditional Kokeshi designs.Sherwin, Brian. ''Kokeshi'', Hi Fructose Magazine, (Spring 2008), Vol. 7 His work has also been published in [Professional Artist (magazine)](/source/Professional_Artist_(magazine)). Several of Sherwin's interviews and articles have been featured content on the "Juxtapoz Art & Culture Magazine" website. This includes his interviews with [Christian Schumann](/source/Christian_Schumann), [Anthony Lister](/source/Anthony_Lister), and [Alex Grey](/source/Alex_Grey).[http://www.juxtapoz.com/index.php?option=com_search&Itemid=76&searchword=Myartspace&searchphrase=any&ordering=newest "Sherwin articles on Juxtapoz website"], Juxtapoz. Retrieved 31 July 2008. He has also been a guest interviewer and referenced on underground art sites the ''beinArt Surreal Artist Collective'',[http://beinart.org/modules/Word-Press/2008/03/26/interview-with-jeremy-geddes/ "Interview with Jeremy Geddes"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205174928/http://beinart.org/modules/Word-Press/2008/03/26/interview-with-jeremy-geddes/ |date=December 5, 2008 }}, beinArt Surreal Artist Collective. Retrieved 8 May 2008. and ''Underground Art Union''[http://www.undergroundartunion.com/code/interviews/interview005.html "Interview with Bryan K. Ward"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704123542/http://www.undergroundartunion.com/code/interviews/interview005.html |date=July 4, 2008 }}, Underground Art Union. Retrieved 8 May 2008. Sherwin's interview with [Michael Craig-Martin](/source/Michael_Craig-Martin) was cited at length in a [Deutsche Bank](/source/Deutsche_Bank) Art Mag feature about the artist.[http://www.deutsche-bank-kunst.com/dbartmag/en/51/feature/michael-craig-martin---the-pleasure-principle/ "Michael Craig-Martin: The pleasure principle "], Deutsche Bank Art Mag. Retrieved 18 Feb 2009. His FineArtViews interview with art critic Mat Gleason was featured on [The Huffington Post](/source/The_Huffington_Post). ==Criticism== Sherwin has been critical of the world-renowned street artist [Shepard Fairey](/source/Shepard_Fairey) due to [copyright infringement](/source/copyright_infringement) allegations involving Fairey's [Obama poster](/source/Obama_poster)s and [Obey](/source/Andr%C3%A9_the_Giant_Has_a_Posse) clothing line. Sherwin has defended the criticism of [Mark Vallen](/source/Mark_Vallen), an artist who claims that Shepard Fairey's career has been based on [plagiarism](/source/plagiarism) and [appropriation](/source/Appropriation_(art)) without attribution. Sherwin's criticism of Shepard Fairey has been cited on the [Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe) website[https://web.archive.org/web/20090205080618/http://boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/outofline/2009/02/how_phony_is_shepard_fairey.html "How phony is Shepard Fairey? By Dan Wasserman"], Boston Globe . Retrieved 10 Feb 2009. and the [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel](/source/Milwaukee_Journal_Sentinel) website.[http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/39261607.html "Obama artist a phony? By Mary Louise Schumacher"], Milwaukee Journal Sentinel . Retrieved 10 Feb 2009. Sherwin's criticism of Shepard Fairey has appeared on Maynard Institute for Journalism Education articles.[http://www.mije.org/richardprince/reporter-settles-racial-profiling-case "AP Goes After Designer of Iconic Obama Poster by Richard Prince"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210180701/http://mije.org/richardprince/reporter-settles-racial-profiling-case |date=2009-02-10 }}, Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. Retrieved 15 Feb 2009. Nick Rizzuto on the [Conservative Punk](/source/Conservative_Punk) web site said that Sherwin "makes a pretty good case".Rizzuto, Frank. [http://www.conservativepunk.com/articles/1485/ "Obama's Obedient Artist: Is Shepard Fairey a Farce?"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081122035702/http://www.conservativepunk.com/articles/1485/ |date=November 22, 2008 }}, [conservativepunk.com](/source/Conservative_Punk), 23 September 2008. Retrieved 26 February 2009. Sherwin has also been critical of [Joy Garnett](/source/Joy_Garnett), [Richard Prince](/source/Richard_Prince) and other artists known for copyright infringement, or allegations of [copyright infringement](/source/copyright_infringement), who support [free culture](/source/free_culture_movement) and limited [copyright](/source/copyright) protection. Sherwin has shown support to [Brad Holland](/source/Brad_Holland_(artist)), co-founder of The Illustrators Partnership of America, who advocates the preservation of creative copyrights on intellectual property. Sherwin has also allowed limited copyright supporters, such as Alex Curtis of [Public Knowledge](/source/Public_Knowledge) to offer their view on the subject.[https://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/2009/01/brad-holland-responds-to-public.html "Brad Holland Responds to Public Knowledge"], Myartspace.com. Retrieved 24 April 2011. ==Notes and references== {{reflist|3}} ==External links== * [http://faso.com/theartedge Brian Sherwin's The Art Edge] * [http://faso.com/dataviewer.asp?keyvalue=13722&page=fineartviews&Topic=Brian%20Sherwin Brian Sherwin on FineArtViews] * [https://myartspace-blog.blogspot.com/ Myartspace Blog] * [http://www.myartspace.com/interviews/ Archived Interviews Conducted by Brian Sherwin] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090123002248/http://blog.copyrightalliance.org/2008/10/a-portrait-of-an-artist-as-a-self-marketer/ A Portrait of an Artist as a Self-Marketer] (excerpt from an article) / [Copyright Alliance](/source/Copyright_Alliance)) * [https://archive.today/20130416011559/http://www.sharkforum.org/2008/12/brian-sherwin-was-there-a-dark.html 'Was There a Dark Cloud Looming Over Miami? Or Was it All in Our Minds?'] by Brian Sherwin, featured on Sharkforum {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Sherwin, Brian}} Category:American curators Category:American art critics Category:Living people Category:Illinois College alumni Category:American bloggers Category:1980 births Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Brian Sherwin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Sherwin) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Sherwin?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.