Artist Bio

Clayton Porter (b. 1980) is an American multimedia artist living and working in the southwestern United States. He grew up in Colorado Springs, CO, spending his early childhood on the rural front-range, moving to the city proper with his mother when he was six. Porter earned a BFA in mixed media at the former College of Santa Fe; with an emphasis in photography; and a minor in art history. One of the most significant turning points in Porter’s life was the untimely death of his mother when he was still a teenager. This event, plus the subsequent death of his father fifteen years later, deeply influenced the formation of his artistic narrative. Porter credits some of the conceptual underpinnings of his work to his proximity to the artist Bruce Nauman. Working tangentially for Nauman’s studio for eight years, he developed a heightened critical approach to his studio practice. The topics Porter touches upon are often as wide ranging and as varied as the media he employs. Porter’s work can be interpreted as irreverent, and although he never shies away from utilizing humor, his motivations can often be traced back to feelings of nostalgic longing, contemplations on material impermanence, and pitfalls of masculine identity. Outside of his full-time studio practice, Porter is also a contributor to the Santa Fe, NM-based arts and culture publication The Magazine.

Artist’s Statement

Colored-pencil drawings of riders like those you see in a rodeo, trying their best to outlast the force of the bucking broncs. As dramatic as the subject is, from a distance they look blank.

The negative space becomes positive space.

According to Porter, the imagery is an allusion to the pitfalls of a troubled relationship. “I had a long-distance affair” he said. “It was full of turmoil, ups and downs, and the drawings are sort of analogous to the turmoil that happens between two entities. The idea of breaking a horse, or taming it, happens in a relationship as well. So it’s really about that dynamic between unrelated parties. That’s what really started the series.It’s a relationship where, at any point, the rider can release itself from the chaotic happening.” Porter’s last point suggests that all the white space surrounding the figures represents the potential for freedom from constraints, adding that in the dynamic of bronc riding, neither horse or rider is in charge, but each tries to dominate the other. “I think the classic cowboy has always been seen as this tough hombre that can handle any physical, external situation,” Porter said, “but when you listen to old western music, there’s a lot of heartbreak.”

Curriculum Vitae

BORN

1980 Colorado Springs, CO USA

EDUCATION

2003 The College of Santa Fe, BFA, Mixed Media, minor in Art History

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2021 One Trick Pony, GF Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM

2010 Deer Hart, Dog Dick, LAUNCH PROJECTS, Santa Fe, NM

2008 Noxious Empire, Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2017 Give Voice: A Postcard Project and Benefit Exhibition curated by Eileen Jeng, LMAKbooks+design, New York, NY

Urban Cowboy: Katie Metz & Clayton Porter GF Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM

Alcoves, New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM.

2015 (re) Launch Offroad Productions, Santa Fe, NM

Socialight Baca Art Projects, Santa Fe, NM

2014 Toast and Cowboys Offroad Productions, Santa Fe, NM

2013 Year of the Snake Eight Modern, Santa Fe, NM

2012 Staring at the Wall: The Art of Boredom Curated by Katia Zavistovski, Lawndale Art Center, Houston, TX

Site Unseen 7; An Art Exhibition and Sale at SITE Santa Fe Santa Fe, NM

2011 Brutal Doodle Art Show Fountain Studios, Brooklyn, NY

Brutal Doodle Art Show Lufthansa Studios, Boston, MA

2010 The Clothesline Installation Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

Site Unseen 6; An Art Exhibition and Benefit for Site Santa Fe’s Eighth International Biennial Site Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

2009 LAUNCH PROJECTS: Inaugural Opening LAUNCH PROJECTS, Santa Fe, NM

UN-2 William Shearburn Gallery, Santa Fe, NM

Paper Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

2008 Vault Southwest Literary Center, Santa Fe, NM

Snap Crackle Pow 516 Arts, Albuquerque, NM

SITE Unseen 5; An Art Exhibition and Benefit for Site Santa Fe’s Seventh International Biennial, Lucky Number Seven Site Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

Cirque du CCA, the 12th Annual Beaux Arts Ball Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2007 The Erotic and the Esoteric Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

Creamy Goodness Salon Mar Graff, Tesuque, NM

Chopped, Chromed, Customized Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM

26 Hours Center for Contemporary Art & disCOURSE.com, Santa Fe Art Fair, Santa Fe, NM

Insider Art; What’s “In”, What’s “Secret,” What’s “Privileged” Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

I Am The Best Artist Strange Weeds/Tesuque Village Market, Tesuque, NM

Camp; Art & Sustainability College of Santa Fe/Hyde Memorial State Park, Santa Fe, NM

Mapping Bodies; The Art & Artifice of Science 516 Arts in conjunction with the Museum of Fine Arts NM, Albuquerque, NM

2006 Off The Books Untitled Art Space, Oklahoma City, OK

Collect: Inside 8 Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

The No/Know Theme Show Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

Rags To Riches Gallery Zipp, Valencia, NM

Toys! Red Saw, Newark, NJ

Babes In Toyland Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM

SITE Unseen 4; An Art Exhibition and Sale SITE Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

2005 Sensual... Or Erotic? Katrina Lasko Gallery, Bernalillo, NM

An Eclectic Soup Katrian Lasko Gallery, Bernalillo, NM

Curator’s Choice; in conjunction with Bloc Busta Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2004 Site Unseen 3, James Kelly Contemporary to Benefit SITE Santa Fe’s Fifth International Biennial James Kelly Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM

2003 Duct & Cover The Santa Fe Art Institute, Santa Fe, NM

Collect: Inside 8 Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

Telephone Answering Machine, Outgoing Messages Artist Edition, BFA Thesis Exhibition, College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

Annual Juried Student Exhibition The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

2002 Annual Juried Student Exhibition The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM.

2001 New Blood New Mexico Van De Griff/Marr, Santa Fe, NM

Site Santa Fe’s Young Curators present the work of Christina Lopez-Cherry and Clayton Porter Hosted by the New Mexico Museum of Fine Arts, New Mexico Museum of Fine Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2000 Guayavera
College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM

1999 37th Annual Young Peoples Art Exhibition
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO

1998 36th Annual Young Peoples Art Exhibition
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO

1997 35th Annual Young Peoples Art Exhibition
Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, Colorado Springs, CO

RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

2008-2016 Bruce Nauman Galisteo, NM, Registrar

2016-2018 The Magazine, Santa Fe, NM, Associate Editor/Photography

2005-2017 New Mexico Museum of Art, Santa Fe, NM, Art Installation

2006-2016 Scheinbaum & Russek LTD, Santa Fe, NM, Installation/Framing/Matting

2014-2016 Thoma Foundation, Santa Fe, NM, Art Installation

2014-2015 Museum of International Folk Art Santa Fe, NM, Art Installation

2002-2008 Site Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, Art Installation/Educator

2010 The Roy Lichtenstein Foundation New York, NY, Art Installation

ART FAIRS

2017 AHA Festival of the Progressive Arts Santa Fe, NM

2010 Art Santa Fe: An International Contemporary Art Fair LAUNCH PROJECTS, Santa Fe, NM

2009 Art Santa Fe: An International Contemporary Art Fair, Santa Fe, NM

2007 Art Santa Fe: An International Contemporary Art Fair, 26 Hours, Center for Contemporary Art & disCOURSE.com, Santa Fe, NM

AWARDS

2013                    Finalist, Site Santa Fe, Spread 4.0
2009                    Semi-Finalist, Bravo tv, The Next Great Artist.
2007                    Finalist, Santa Fe Civic Center Public                                                                                      Art: Parking Garage and Elevator                                                  2006                           Up and Coming New Mexico Photographer; 6th Annual Photography Auction,                                 Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM                                     2003                          Award of Excellence, The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM    2001                            Award of Excellence, The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM VAAC                        Outstanding Junior Award, The College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM        2000                          VAAC Executive Council Award; Guayavera exhibition, College of Santa Fe,                                   Santa Fe, NM

GUEST LECTURES

2006 Untitled Art Space, Oklahoma City, OK Off the Books, Artist panel discussion Center for Contemporary Art,
Santa Fe, NM Babes in Toyland, Artist panel discussion

2003 College of Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM BFA Thesis, Artist Talk; Deconstructing Medicine and Religion

AUCTIONS

2008 Masked Ball, CCA’s 13th Annual Beaux Arts Ball, Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2007 Toast of Santa Fe; 2nd Annual Wine & Art Auction, Center for Contemporary
Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2006 Metamorphosis, CCA’s 11th Annual Beaux Arts Ball and Auction, Center for Contemporary Arts, Santa Fe, NM

2005 Metamorphosis, CCA’s 10th Annual Beaux Arts Ball and Auction, Linda Durham Contemporary Art, Santa Fe, NM

INTERNSHIPS

2002 Starn Twins, Studio Assistant, Brooklyn, NY

2000 Image House Iris printing assistant, Santa Fe, NM

COMMUNITY WORKS

2001-04 Monte Del Sol Mentorship Program for young adults, Santa Fe, NM

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Michael Abatemarco, “Niche appreciation: Alcoves 16/17 #7,” Pasatiempo, Feb 10, 2017.
Enrique Limon, “Her Daily Bread,” Santa Fe Reporter, April 16-22, 2014, page 33.
Kathryn M Davis, “Toast + Cowboys,” The Magazine, June 2014, page 55.
Michael Abatemarco, “Sourdough Dudes: Toast + Cowboys,” Pasatiempo, April 18, 2014, page 9.
Rob Dewalt, “Snakes alive! Group show explores ancient archetype,” Santa Fe New Mexican, March 29-April 4, 2013, page 32.
Meredith Deliso, “This Art Show About Boredom Is Anything But Boring,” Houston Press, December 19, 2012, http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/this-art-show-about-boredom-is-anything-but-bor-ing-6368016
Steve Jansen, “100 Creatives 2013: Katia Zavistovski, Contemporary Art Curator,” Houston Press, Wed., Feb. 27 2013, http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/100-creatives-2013-katia-zavistovski-contem- porary-art-curator-6379871
Olivia Flores Alvarez, “Free for All: “The Art of Boredom and Two Chances for a Zydeco Christmas,” Houston Press, http://www.houstonpress.com/arts/free-for-all-the-art-of-boredom-and-two-chances-for- a-zydeco-christmas-6371541
Michael Abatemarco, “Torture of the Flesh; Clayton Porter,” Pasatiempo, December 30-January 5, 2012, page 34.
Katy Crocker, “Overconsumption, Contemporary Art’s Perspective,” Adobe Airstream, http://adobeair- stream.com/culture/overconsumption-contemporary-arts-perspective/
“Clayton Porter: Deer Hart, Dog Dick,” The Magazine, August 2010, page 61.
Michael Abatemarco, “Business is only part of our business,” Santa Fe New Mexican, February 12-18, 2010 page 28.
Jan Ernst Adlmann, Art In America, June/July 2010, page 38.
Katy Crocker, “Clayton Porter Show opens at LAUNCH Projects,” Adobe Airstream, http://adobeair-stream.com/art/clayton-porters-deer-hart-dog-dick-opens-at-launchprojects/
Marin Sardy, “I want candy: Clayton Porter’s monstrosities of desire,” Santa Fean.
Jon Carver, “Unrepresented,” The Magazine, November 2009, page 45.
Kathaleen Roberts, “Skewering Consumerism,” Santa Fe/North, Venue, December 5, 2008, S & S2.
The Magazine, “Studio Visit,” June 2008, page 23.
Richen Lhamo, “Critical Reflections: Alchemy and Snap Crackle Pow!,” The Magazine, June 2008, page 61.
The Magazine, “Art Player,” May 2008, page 43.
Hollis Walker, “Off-beat Studio,” Santa Fe/North, August 3, 2007, S8.
Wolf Schneider, “Diversions,” New Mexico Magazine, March 2007, page 28-31.
Dan Mayfield, “The Art of Science The Science of Art,” Albuquerque Journal, February 4, 2007: F1- F2.
Kathryn M. Davis, “Clayton Porter (artist profile),” Santa Fean, The Art Issue, June 2006, page 57.
Kathaleen Roberts, “Not Just Child’s Play,” Santa Fe/North, December 16, 2005, S1-S3.
Zane Fisher, Arts And Culture, Santa Fe Reporter, December 14-20 2005, page 27.
Robert Nott, “Mother Goosed in Toyland,” Pasatiempo, December 16-22, 2005, pages 60-62.
Diane Armitage, “Critical Reflections,” The Magazine, June 2003, page 51.
Andi Gray, “Young Critics Speak,” Santa Fe Reporter, December 20-26, 2000, page 26.
Sarah Marie Gomez, “Young Curators Youth-art Show,” Santa Fe New Mexican.