Brian Taylor was born in Tucson, Arizona. He received his B.A. Degree in Visual Arts from the University of California at San Diego, an M.A. from Stanford University, and his M.F.A. from the University of New Mexico.
Brian is known for his innovative explorations of alternative photographic processes including historic 19th Century printing techniques, mixed media, and hand made books. He has been a recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Polaroid Corporation. His work has been exhibited nationally and abroad in numerous solo and group shows and is included in the permanent collections of the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and the International Museum of Photography at the George Eastman House, Rochester, NY. His work has been published in American Photographer, Photo Asia, Exploring Color Photography, Photographic Possibilities, and Artworks.
Brian has taught photography workshops for over 20 years at institutions including the Friends of Photography, the University of California at Santa Cruz and Berkeley, Stanford University, Photo Alliance, and f/295 at Carnegie Mellon. Brian is currently Professor of Photography in the Department of Art and Art History at California State University, San Jose.
What did the Fellowship or Laureate mean to you at the time you received it?
Receiving a Fellowship from Arts Council Silicon Valley was a great honor and a privilege. My first fellowship came in 1991 earlier in my career and gave me that boost of confidence as a young artist, having received this prestigious confirmation of the value and worth of my art pursuit.
What do you do now? Has your art evolved or changed?
I'm proud to say that I've continued my love and passion for art every year since my first fellowship way back in 1991. I've taught photography at San Jos? State University for over 30 years and recently served as Chair of the Department of Art and Art History. Go here to see my work: www.briantaylorphotography.com Find my resume on the ?About? page for info on recent exhibitions and publications.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an emerging artist?
Carefully discover what you must say in your art. Pursue it with confidence and passion, even through the moments of inevitable doubt and trials and tribulations that all artists experience. Making your art may very well be the best way to spend your life. It may well be the finest contribution you can make to the world.
Briefly, how would you describe the state of the arts locally, as well as national and beyond?
more important than people realize