Exploring California’s Public Art Collection: A Space for Emerging Artists
The Stuart Collection at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) has launched an emerging artists programme to bring diverse perspectives to the campus. The first cohort includes RojoNegro, Max Hooper Schneider, and Precious Okoyomon. These artists will create permanent projects on campus between 2025 and 2026.
The program aims to expand the Stuart Collection by adding new voices that address social and environmental issues. The collection, known for site-specific art, was founded in 1981 and includes works by artists like Niki de Saint Phalle, John Baldessari, and Jenny Holzer.
Director Jessica Berlanga Taylor plans to connect art with science and technology, as well as themes of race, gender, and the border. The artists selected will receive their first public art commissions, helping to elevate their careers.
RojoNegro will bridge Indigenous traditions with contemporary art, Hooper Schneider will collaborate with scientists, and Okoyomon will explore the history of natural species and colonization. These installations aim to engage with the campus community and make a lasting impact on the artists’ careers.
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Elara Voss, graduated from the Royal College of Art in London with a Master’s in Fine Art. She specializes in contemporary sculpture and installation art, exploring themes of nature and human interaction. Elara’s works have been featured in several group exhibitions across Europe, and she is currently working on her first solo show.