Episode #28 feat. La Monte Westmoreland
In this episode, Eric speaks with artist and educator La Monte Westmoreland. They discuss his experience of growing up in Wisconsin, his early exposure to art and what lead him to move to Los Angeles.. his educational background, to serving in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam war and what eventually lead him into an impressive career as an art educator in the secondary, college and university levels; that spanned over many decades. They discuss Westmoreland’s artistic influences and journey.. discovering and developing his unique style; including subject matter, process to exhibiting his work and where he finds himself today.
Guest Bio: Born in Wisconsin, La Monte Westmoreland moved to California as a young adult and studied art at Los Angeles City College (AA). He continued his studies at California State University, Los Angeles, with an emphasis in painting (BA); completed his fine art studies, focusing on collage and assemblage (MA; MFA).
He has been an active artist for the past forty plus years. His work has been included in over 170 prestigious art collections nationally and internationally and has appeared in over 50 books and catalogs. Additionally, art magazines, periodicals and newspapers have published numerous articles and reviews of his art. La Monte Westmoreland’s art is humanistic and is personally connected to his African American experience. The focus of his art encompasses the social, political and humorous perceptions of his African American life experiences. His selection of a variety of pop icons that illustrate the racial stereotypes that represent black imagery, such as watermelons, Cream of Wheat man, Uncle Ben, Aunt Jemima and others. La Monte Westmoreland has provided leadership in the visual arts by serving as an art educator at the secondary, college and university levels.
He has provided artistic leadership as curator and art gallery director. La Monte Westmoreland has served on the Board of Directors for several art organizations. He was honored by Washington Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin, where he was born and raised, inducted him into their Hall of Fame as an Artist and Art Educator and an art scholarship was offered in his name.
