Written by Debbie Lavdas December 29, 2010.

Canvassing California

Q&A with Sarah Bancroft

California Biennial 2010

Sarah Bancroft, contemporary art enthusiast and curator of the 2010 California Biennial, sat down with Bask to talk talent on the verge, chat about the local scene and give us a window into her artsy every day. She’s surrounded by priceless art by day as OCMA’s curator, yet a minimalist at home who wishes to not curate her own walls. Her favorite place has no framed form, but only surf and sand. And her career days at the Guggenheim have forwarded her to her preferred path here in Orange County — a direction backwards for most.

Q: I wondered what would be on your walls. Just one piece?

A: Yes, The Rosenquist. I curated the Artist Retrospective at the Guggenheim and it traveled extensively. When that tour was over, Jim gave it to me. I like key pieces. There’s more than enough art for me to put on my own walls, but I’d like to just chill out and not worry about all the things that I worry about during the day. My home is a refuge, a mind respite.

Q: What is home to you?

A: I have mental homes and physical homes. Physical is wherever I am. And now it’s California, very much so. I have a mental home in New York and also in London.

Q: Tell me about the Biennial selection, what you learned.

A: The Biennial has 45 artists in it. Anytime you are looking at that much work, you are growing yourself. The range of works is vast and that was really what I was going for — a cross-section of all of the things that are happening in California.

Q: How did being a young curator play in the process?

A: Maybe being closer in age to some of the artists gave me access. I spent at least an hour with each artist. Sometimes it takes a while to really learn what you want to learn. Sometimes if someone was quiet, it might be the very end of the studio visit where it’s like, “Now I totally get the work.” So maybe my age helped. But what I’ve heard more than that is that I’m just really relaxed and low-key.

Q: As a newer local to Orange County (since ‘08), what you think of the cultural scene here?

A: I think it’s a lot richer here than some may give it credit for. And it’s a very tight-knit community.

Q: OCMA is kind of a hidden gem many haven’t discovered. Do you agree?

A: Well I would like to think it’s been discovered. I think it’s a gem, like some other smaller museums in other cities. Like the Courtauld in London, it’s a gem, very similar. I think we are a medium-size museum, but we are a powerhouse. And we are doing really important shows.

Q: Why OCMA for you?

A: I was pretty excited about the opportunity, and thought I could work with very contemporary work. I’ve worked in New York with very established artists, much older artists, worked with the cream of the crop. And I thought “this is awesome, I’ve done this.” Now what I really want to do is work with artists my own age. So in some ways my career was backwards from the norm.

Q: Any fave local haunts around town?

A: Sidedoor is definitely one of my favorites. It’s fantastic. Wonderful beer tastings and wine tastings. Also Zinc. The Long Beach Antique Market. Black Sheep Bistro.

Q: You seriously surf?

A: Yes. I’m a longboarder. It’s like a meditation. When you are out in the water, everything slips away. You’re totally present. It’s kind of like a cathedral, like going to church.

Q: Do you have a Zen side to you?

A: Yes, I do really like the practice of Buddhism and I find a lot of value in it. Absolutely.

Q: Parting words on the Biennial?

A: It’s awesome. And it really does have such a vast array of work. Not everyone will like everything — and really they shouldn’t.