Today we’d like to introduce you to Ariette Bahta.
Hi Ariette, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a visual artist and curator that specializes in semi-realistic/expressionist portraits and SFX makeup. Originally, I’m from the east side of Pittsburgh, PA, and currently a bachelor’s degree candidate in Studio-Art (focusing in illustration) while studying anthropology as a minor with a focus of cultural anthropology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), as well as being a first-generation student and second-generation American (my father is originally from Asmara, Eritrea).
During my time at IUP, I’ve served on the Gallery Committee as a student representative. I curated my first art exhibition Invaluable in 2022 at Kipp Gallery in Indiana, PA, which featured the work of seven emerging Black artists from Pittsburgh who specializes in the works of photography, 3-D animation, illustration-etc. My experience in the art field goes far as gallery assistance, art direction, doing art commissions, and gallery curation. I have worked through the previous semester as a gallery assistant for Kipp Gallery at Indiana, PA to assist guests by providing customer service and helping coordinate exhibitions. In addition, I have collaborated with photographers and videographers to create SFX makeup looks for various projects. As of right now, I’m focusing on building the foundation of AlayStudios to create opportunities for networking, making connections, and exposing artists for successful careers down the line.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Growing up in a city where it is not known as a place for artists, it’s been a struggle especially for artists of color to seek opportunities within their field. The Pittsburgh art community is divided in different aspects because it the community itself is small. Attempting to find work in the big places such as the Carnegie Museum, the Warhol, etc can be challenging. The opportunity for work is very limited due to this; thus, artists like myself and others opt to freelance work. There aren’t enough local artist hubs for POC and as an artist myself, I strive to make that happen with AlayStudios in the years to come; My goal is to own a studio/gallery as a creative, accepting, and safe outlet inclusive to every group, but exclusive to POC/POC in LGBTQIA+/LGBTQIA+.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work explores a variety of mediums such as graphite, charcoal, oil paints, watercolor and ink, and various materials used for special effects makeup. The direction I go with the mediums I use are to create semi-realism combined with the expressionist portrayal of human portraits. Typically for portraits, I use either watercolor and ink or charcoal/graphite. My style at the moment with charcoal/graphite and oil paints focuses on a mix of expressionism/stylistic/semi-realism art; the only difference with what I illustrate in oil paintings vs charcoal and graphite are landscapes/seascapes, etc. Various kinds of earth scapes are best captured when working with oil paints as far as color, vibrancy, shadows, texture, etc with my stylistic portrayal. The materials I use to create pieces for special effects (SFX) makeup consists of liquid latex, modeling clay, adhesives, stage blood, stage gel, grease paints, setting powder, etc. I make gruesome/horror-inspired pieces, typically creating a series of zombie looks for my aspiring love for the dark things in life, but making light of it at the same time for what I create; that there is beauty even in the dark places.
The majority of my work focuses on human anatomy (portraits). For example, my human portraits are exclusive to people of color, for the simple reason to emphasize the lack of representation of POC within art in ALL areas. Art history, tattoo industry, etc. In my experience within the art world and what I’ve been taught for the past few years was very little acknowledgment about black art. Art is what I relate to, so it is important for me to create and express my craft on what I can relate to, therefore, my audience can feel the relation of what I’m portraying POC. (people of color) and the audience of non-POC can also experience a first-hand portrayal of black art. My audience is for everyone, but strongly significant to POC because of this.
My love for anthropology, particularly the study of cultural anthropology has influenced me even more to create a series of portraits from POC of different cultures; to me, it is a great way to explore my cultural horizon from an artistic perspective, but a historical perspective as well. The more I’m informed about a culture, the more insight I gain; this helps me channel what direction I want to go in creating. Not only it help the direction of my craftsmanship, but this takes my art to another empathic level, of learning, and understanding the significance behind each motive I take for illustration.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even if it’s not for no reason. So my belief in good and bad luck is non-existent. When something good does happen with my life and business, I take full advantage because time is precious and not reversible. If it’s bad, then it simply was not meant to happen because there is always something better in store for me.
Pricing:
- SFX makeup starts at $50.00
- Portraits start at $45.00
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alaystudios/
Image Credits
All illustrations made – Ariette Bahta Tommy Hill Cloud IX
