Artist and provocateur Brian Andrew Whiteley joins The Truth In This Art to talk about creating work that pushes buttons and blurs boundaries. Based in New York, Brian is known for his politically charged performances and installations—from the infamous Trump Tombstone to his leadership at the artist-run Satellite Art Show.
In this wide-ranging conversation, Brian reflects on the early days of his work with creepy clown performances, how drawing comics sparked his creative journey, and why art that provokes discomfort can often spark the deepest conversations. He shares the legal and emotional fallout from controversial projects, what it means to stay committed to an experimental path, and how building spaces like Satellite offers artists a way out of the commercial art world’s rigid structure.
This is an honest, funny, and layered dialogue about creative risk, censorship, and what it takes to build something outside the system.
Highlights include:
- The story behind the Trump Tombstone—and how it led to a Secret Service investigation
- Why embracing absurdity became central to his practice
- Building Satellite Art Show as a true artist-first platform
- Learning to push past legal threats and backlash to stay true to his ideas
- Why success isn’t about sales—it’s about freedom and community
🎧 Want more? Explore the Satellite Art Show’s latest projects at satellite-show.com or follow Brian Andrew Whiteley on Instagram for updates on his work and exhibitions.
Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:
- Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
- Edited by Daniel Alexis
- Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor
Photos:
- Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
- Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.
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