Meet Ariana Tottenhoff | Artist & Fabricator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ariana Tottenhoff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ariana, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I decided to pursue a creative career because making art and designing makes my heart beat faster! I often feel like I am suffocating if I am not creating. I have always been an artist, ever since I was little and knew that creativity was one of my strengths. I actually went to college first to study biology because everyone told me I wouldn’t find work as an artist! I took one art class at the college and asked myself “What am I doing? Im an artist!” I changed my path and my soul was much happier for it!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I use multiple mediums to convey exaggerated figurative forms that deal with being in a controlled society, and display a female perspective on modern day experiences. I’ve spent time studying different mediums and like to use a mix of different mediums in my sculptures. It is easier to achieve the message I am trying to display with specific types. Also some techniques just take less time than others. I primarily make sculptures with ceramics, metal work, mold making, and textile materials. I really appreciate when something is made well, and always go up to the art label at shows and guess the mediums the art is made up of first before reading it. It is a little game I play with myself.

I did attend Pratt Institute in Brooklyn New York, where I was inspired by my professors and learned many techniques. The year I graduated, I wasn’t sure what jobs I would get but I fell into props fabrication work for displays. I ended up help making the Macy’s Holiday windows my first year out of college which was a huge opportunity for me! I currently do freelance fabrication work now. I do this now for my career but I am still passionate about my own practice and try to balance the two. I think that is one of the hardest challenges of being an artist, is maintaining a steady income but also trying to make your own work at the same time. I am very fortunate to be making fun stuff for a career!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I am originally from Fort Lauderdale but spend a lot of time in Miami. I have met many great friends in the local art scene in Miami and often try to support those events when I am around. I love getting brunch in Wynwood and walking around the gardens of Vizcaya. Over Under, and Lagniappe are great bars. I also recently went to the Perez Museum of art and was really impressed with the curation of the non permeant exhibitions. The installation work, in my opinion, was a lot stronger than most of the installation work at art museums in New York. Walking around South Beach feels like another world, I love the energy there, it is surreal, the art deco architecture and plants make me so happy. Most of my time now is spent in Brooklyn, New York but two or three months out of the year, I spend in Florida. Some of you might even call me a snowbird. I have really appreciated the transformational moments Miami has given me and I am happy to call myself a South Floridian.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I personally believe sometimes you are in the right place at the right time. Some of those moments for me have changed my trajectory for the better. Whether it was sitting on a plane next to a woman running a big design probs studio, or talking to strangers who have careers in a creative field, little moments have assured me I am on the right journey. I find lot of art opportunities happen by word of mouth, it’s kinda a big small world, especially in Miami and in New York. I also wouldn’t be where I am without my families support and respect for me being an artist. Not many people can say the same. I also am inspired by many my friends who are artists and pursue their passions. They understand why I am staying up at 3am sometimes working on art, and they frequently do the same.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ariana_tottenhoff/

Image Credits
Heather S Roberts took only my armor photos which I am modeling in. Everything else I took.