Meet Anthony Banayat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anthony Banayat.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I’m 55 years old and I’m really just getting my career as a fine artist off the ground. I married my high school sweetheart when I was just 20 and together we started growing our family right away. That sounds crazy when I think about it, we were so young, but I don’t have any regrets. I went into the commercial art field as a way of staying creative. I was hired by a predominant Phoenix based commercial art firm at the time called Subia Corporation. Most of my initial art training was in commercial art and earned on the job. As a very young graphic artist, I learned to have a thick skin and gained a massive amount of experience with print production and environmental display design. My background includes illustration, photography, writing, product design, product packaging, magazine advertising, website interface design and Apple IOS to name a few. I didn’t have any formal art training until I went to Arizona State University when I was a ripe 49 year old. I received two degrees, one in painting and the other in sculpture. It was a tremendous four and half year ride going back to school. I enjoyed every bit of it. Especially the people. As anyone can image, I learned a lot at ASU.

Please tell us about your art.
For me, working as a fine artist is like tapping into a referential continuum of sorts. Like anyone else, I recognize that we are what we see, think, read, watch and do. We are consumers. And while there are other important things that play into what I do and what I make, I can only tap into what I know and what I’ve experienced. At this point, my art reflects my experiences looking at and using social media, combined with my fascination with popular culture. So my painted works are an expansion of those two interests, while my sculpture is a distillation of those same interests.

People who have attended art exhibitions featuring my work have compared my paintings and sculptures to works by Roy Lichtenstein, James Rosenquist, and Andy Warhol. This may seem like shameless name dropping, but it’s no coincidence. Those three artists in particular have had a huge influence on me as an artist. I admire them for many reasons enjoy their work. I’m genuinely honored that anyone would compare me to these iconic American artists. Their work is fun to look at and very approachable. I’d like to think my work is similar in that way.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
When working as an artist, scale is everything. Processes aside, every artist should know how to draw. If you can only afford pencil and paper, then use pencil and paper. Have the mindset to make something every day. Thanks to social media, artists can show their stuff right away. Get a website and stay courageous.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I’ve had the privilege of having 3 solo exhibitions and being part of multiple group exhibition throughout Phoenix since graduating ASU two years ago. I want to thank everyone at Walter Art Gallery, Thermal Gallery, Grand Arthaus, {9} The Gallery, and the Sisao Gallery for all their amazing support.

My current work will be featured in a solo exhibition during the month of October 2018, in Chandler at the Vision Gallery in the City Hall building.

My work can be found at http://www.banayat.com as well as on social media at @anthonybanayat

Contact Info:

• Website: www.banayat.com
• Email: abanayat@me.com
• Instagram: @anthonybanayat
• Facebook: www.facebook/anthonybanayat
• Twitter: @artinmytime

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.