SEAN ADAM IBANEZ
Bio
Sean Ibanez was born in San Antonio, TX and currently resides in Fort Worth. His undergraduate studies were completed at UT in San Antonio, and he later went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Sculpture from Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. Ibanez has shown in several group shows in the DFW Metroplex including World Views! Diverse Artist Approaches (2007) at the Dallas Center for Contemporary Art; the I-35 Biennial at Dunn and Brown gallery (2006); Best of the Biennial (2008) at the Fort Worth Community Arts Center; and most recently Young Latino Artists 14: Tarp != lona (2009) at MEXCI-Arte Museum in Austin. Ibanez currently makes the commute from Fort Worth to Azle to teach 7th and 8th grade art.
Statement
Academia would have us believe in the death of art, that nothing new is left to be done. Why anyone would believe such a thing, let alone anyone involved in the arts, is beyond me. My very core rejects the idea whether there’s truth to it or not.
Bearing that in mind I’ve turned to a nostalgic approach, appropriating materials and imagery that return us to days when speculation, imagination, and the hope of discovery still ruled over society. By incorporating Victorian design elements and antiques I hope to recall the parlor atmosphere. The sitting room was an environment where people once came together to discuss religion, changes in society, and emergent science. The parlor was a place of hope and reconciliation.
In exploring the ideas of fantasy and discovery, I evoke a childlike sense of wonder. This sense of wonder is paramount to artists and humanity alike. Without its sense of beauty, we have little to hope for there is nothing to work towards.
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