Steve Brudniak

From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Steve Brudniak (born April 9, 1961, Topeka, Kansas) is an American artist, actor, filmmaker and musician. Known for highly crafted and unusual assemblage sculpture, his visual art career spans nearly four decades.[1] His music, acting and filmmaking endeavors emerged during childhood[2] escalating professionally in recent years. Brudniak spent his elementary and high school years in Houston, Texas eventually moving to Austin, Texas, where he currently lives.[2]

Art[edit]

Brudniak's art incorporates, often pioneering, unconventional media and scientific elements such as high voltage electricity, Tesla coil technology,[3] magnetic ferrofluid, gyro mechanics, biological preservations, fiber optics, and lasers.[1][4][5][6][7][8]

He integrates disparate found objects in the construction of his art, however the finished pieces do not resemble collage.[6][8] The assemblages generally give the appearance of being functional machines or ritualistic objects that are indivisibly "of a piece," albeit of indiscernible origin and purpose.[4][8] Spirituality, psychology, and biology are common themes in his work.[1][4][5]

Noumenon Objectifying in Four Parts 2005, assemblage with emanating reflection optical lens, 48” x 19” x 6” (collection of Dr. Donovan and Catarina Sigerfoos, Austin, Texas)

In 2008 his Astrogeneris Mementos became the first assemblage sculptures exhibited in outer space, taken aboard the International Space Station by entrepreneur and astronaut Richard Garriott.[1][4][6][7][9]

During the 1980s Brudniak was an active member of the Houston Alternative Art scene, working from several studios in the historical Heights neighborhood and represented by four different galleries during this time.[1] In 1988 he moved to his Bouldin Creek, Austin, Texas art studio in Austin, Texas[2] continuing to produce art that has been exhibited in over 100 gallery and museum exhibitions.[1]

Brudniak's work is included in the collections of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,[1][5] The San Antonio Museum of Art,[1] the El Paso Museum of Art,[1][10] and The Art Museum of South Texas at Corpus Christi.[1][11] He is currently represented by the Davis Gallery in Austin, Texas.

His Treatise, Saving Beauty: The Painful Rebirthing of Visual Aesthetic in Contemporary Art, is a scolding commentary on the diminishing importance of visual beauty and craft in postmodern, contemporary art.[8][12]

Art Books and Documentaries[edit]

The monograph, The Science of Surrealism - Assemblage Sculpture of Steve Brudniak was published in 2013 documenting thirty years of the artist's career in photos, essays and commentary. It was edited by Anjali Gupta, with a foreword by Guillermo del Toro.[1] Books and documentaries featuring Brudniak's work are listed in the bibliography below.

Acting and Film[edit]

Brudniak began acting in and directing his own short films at the age of 13[2] and has appeared in dozens of films, notably Richard Linklater's Waking Life and Robert Rodriguez Red 11; in video production and television shows including the Reelz Channels Murder Made Me Famous, AMC's The Son and El Rey Network's Rebel Without a Crew.[13][14] In 2009 he produced, acted in and co-directed Eric Frodsham's Moments The Go feature film.[13][14] He has appeared in advertising for Texas Tourism, Capital One, Indian Motorcycle, Cox Business and others.[14] (Filmography Below)

The Vagus Leviathan, Steve Brudniak, 2008, assemblage with photograph, fiber optic lens and kinetic mechanism, 50” x 21” x 6” (Collection of John Little)

Music[edit]

In 1976 he and guitar player Gerry Diaz formed the psychedelic rock group Spiny Normen and recorded an album at the Alvin Community College which was released decades later on RidingEasy Records in 2018.[15]

In 1981 he opened the Victorian Recording Studio in Houston, recording many of Houston's alternative, metal, folk, skate and punk groups.[2] He also recorded and performed in several bands there and later in Austin. He continues to record with Diaz in an experimental effort called Psylobison, playing theremin and Wavetech sound wave generator.[16] (Discography Below)

Bibliography[edit]

Bunch, Robert Craig, The Art of Found Objects: Interviews with Texas Artists. College Station, TX: Texas A&M University Press, 2016.

Chemeketa College Art Faculty. Art for Everyone, Salem, Oregon: Chemeketa Press, 2016.

Gupta, Anjali ed., The Science of Surrealism - Assemblage Sculpture of Steve Brudniak. Austin TX: Merrid Zone, 2013

Brenner, Wayne Alan. Minerva’s Wreck: Austin Arts Anthology, Austin TX: Café Armageddon, 2010.

Branwyn, Gareth. Device Volume 2: Reconstructed, San Diego, CA: IDW Publishing, July 2009.

Reese, Becky Duval. Texas 100: Selections from the El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso, TX: El Paso Museum of Art Foundation, 2006.

Otten, William G. and Michelle W. Locke. The Legacy Continues, Corpus Christi, TX: Art Museum of South Texas, 2006.

Morton, Jennifer. Belong: A TV Journalist's Search for Urban Culture: from Beirut to Bamako, from Havana to Ho Chi Minh City: Stories and Photos. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Insomniac Press, 2004.

Greene, Alison de Lima. Texas: 150 Works from the Museum of Fine Arts. NY, NY: Harry N. Abrams, October 1, 2000.

Hendricks, Patricia D. and Becky Duval Reese. A Century of Sculpture in Texas 1889-1989. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1989.

McEvilley, Thomas. Another Reality. Houston, TX: Hooks-Epstein Galleries, June 1989.

Video Documentary Bibliography[edit]

Ulteriaphobia: The Art of Steve Brudniak. Dir. Luke Savisky. Austin, TX: Klaus und Hans Productions, 1995, Video documentary.

Indie Live Austin. “Steve Brudniak: Interview with Diana Brochin.” Austin, TX: ACTV, January 2010.

Steve Brudniak – Noumenon. Dir. Wiley Wiggins. Austin, TX: 2008, Video documentary.

Steve Brudniak. Dir. Andrew Nourse. Austin, TX: Andy Nourse Productions, 1998 Video documentary.

Filmography[edit]

Film

Year Film Role Director Notes
2018 Red 11 Head Doc Robert Rodriguez
2018 Cecelia Lord Liz Tabish
2018 The Iron Orchard Broker Ty Roberts
2017 Calling Mr. Callister Artemis Anastasiadou Austin Film Festival Selection
2017 One Last Time Boss Jaime Gonzales
2017 Fallen Doctor Jack Nassif
2017 Bonafide Beauty Nigel Samantha Schell
2017 The Long Road Home Joshua Alex Winker
2017 Valentine's Day Open Mic Gangster Ben Toomey
2017 Watchers Mr. Tatum Amadeus Gonzalez
2016 Psychotropical Howard Liz Tabish
2016 Clamps Mayor Zach Scott, Jill Bailey
2016 Comfort Felicia KC Coker
2016 The Bridge Harry Colton Constanzo
2016 The Dying Light Thomas Jack Nassif
2016 Shadows Terry Colton Constanzo
2016 Promises Gerald Painter Melody Brooke
2015 Bunny and Non-Bunnyness Nic Ben Blanchard Cannes Selection
2015 Ghost Valley Sheriff Bill Raymond Georgetown Ray Associate Producer
2015 Hipster Police Officer University of Texas Film Program
2015 Little Green Men Sheriff Rob Larkin
2015 Door to Door Bounty Hunter Jarrod Yerkes
2015 Sauce Sauce Eater Gavin Tabone
2015 Wartorn Eric Bukowski Harold Fisch
2014 Carjacker Stan Taylor Camarot
2014 Last Message Doctor Duane Humeyestewa
2014 Bully Bully Homeless Man DeRae Logan
2014 Bye Bye Blackbird Camera Guy Gaia Bosignore
2013 Moments the Go Cray Eric Frodsham Co-Director, Co-Producer
2012 Camp Kickitoo Cop Rick Sternberg
2002 Absinthe Boy Friend Marta Banda Producer
2001 Waking Life Goatee Man Richard Linklater Rotoscoped
1998 Two for Texas Soldier Rod Hardy Uncredited
1997 Parts of a Woman Psycho Kathleen Collins
1996 Waiting Apt. Manager University of Texas Film Program

Television

Year TV Show Role Director Notes
2018 Rebel Without a Crew Self Series
2017 Annihilator Marshal Grooms Lee Julio Quintana Series Teaser
2017 Is Game of Throngs a Soap Opera Sir Davey Rooster Teeth Short
2017 Murder Made Me Famous Dr. Herman Tarnower Brad Osborne Series
2016 Alabama Shakes Homeless Man Zach Scott, Rachel Immaraj Spec. Music Video
2016 Good Field Mr. Johnson Zach Scott Music Video
2004 Sir Richard Self Documentary
1995 Austin Self Documentary

Voice Over

Year Title Role Director Notes
2017 Kingsile Various Characters Video Game
2016 Redeemer Various Characters Video Game
1985 Jack Mack and Rad Boy Go! Various Characters Wes Archer Animation, Sound, Score

Discography[edit]

Albums

Spiny Normen. Spiny Normen. RidingEasy Records. 2018 (Recorded 1979)

Singles

Spiny Normen. The Sound of Younger Times. Brining It All Back Again (Compilation). Shroom Angel Records. 2010 (Recorded 1979)

Spiny Normen. The Bell Park Loon. Brown Acid: The Second Trip (Compilation). RidingEasy Records. 2016 (Recorded 1979)

Citations[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Gupta, Anjali, ed. (2013). The Science of Surrealism - Assemblage Sculpture of Steve Brudniak. Austin: Merrid Zone.
  2. ^ a b c d e McGahey, Sean. "Interview with Steve Brudniak". JPG Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  3. ^ Hendricks, Patricia D.; Duval Reese, Becky (1989). A Century of Sculpture in Texas 1889-1989. Austin, TX: University of Texas Press.
  4. ^ a b c d Bunch, Robert Craig (2016). The Art of Found Objects: Interviews with Texas Artists. College Station, TX: Texas A&M Press.
  5. ^ a b c Greene, Alison de Lima (2000). Texas: 150 Works from the Museum of Fine Arts. New York, NY: Harry N. Abrams.
  6. ^ a b c Brannon, Mike. "Psychedelic Surrealism Texas Style". 71 Magazine. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Colan, Joann. "Steve Brudniak: Interview with Joann Colan". Rocketboom.com. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved March 8, 2008.
  8. ^ a b c d Corbin, Michael K. "Steve Brudniak: Assemblage Sculpture". Art Book Guy. September 2016.
  9. ^ Challenger Center. "Richard Garriott Space Video Blog: Conservation of Momentum". YouTube. Challenger Center. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  10. ^ Reese, Becky Duval (2006). Texas 100: Selections from the El Paso Museum of Art. El Paso, TX: El Paso Museum of Art Foundation.
  11. ^ Otten, William G.; Locke, Michelle W. (2006). The Legacy Continues. Corpus Christi, TX: Art Museum of South Texas.
  12. ^ Brudniak, Steve (2014). "Saving Beauty: The Painful Rebirthing of Visual Aesthetic in Contemporary Art". Art Book Guy. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  13. ^ a b Brudniak, Steve. "Steve Brudniak IMDB". The Internet Movie Database. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  14. ^ a b c Brudniak, Steve. "Collier Talent Agency" (PDF). Collier Talent Agency. Retrieved March 15, 2018.
  15. ^ Lewry, Frasier. "Everything You Need to Know About Spiny Normen, Texas's Great Lost Psych Band". Classic Rock Magazine. January 2018.
  16. ^ "Psilobison New Year's Eve at Super Happy Fun Land 12-31-16". YouTube. Ess Dot FX. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved January 13, 2017.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_Brudniak&oldid=1146625316"