Meet Shawn Kolodny | Artist

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

Hi Shawn, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I’ve always had a high tolerance for risk, which has been both a blessing and a bane throughout my career. I’m the type to bet it all on what I believe is a brilliant idea. Over the years, this approach has led me to take bold chances—not all of which have panned out, but those that did, really paid off. When it comes to art, my penchant for risk has expressed itself through my commitment to large-scale installations. These aren’t just big pieces; they’re huge gambles, often funded out of my own pocket to make the impact I aim for. This strategy of going big has recently catapulted my career to new heights. However, I firmly believe that taking risks without a clear plan and vision is merely courting disaster. It’s not just about creating something spectacular; the art needs to resonate on a deeper level, and that’s where the real payoff lies.

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 specialize in sculptures that revolve around one of the most fundamental shapes in existence: the sphere. This form intrigues me because of its omnipresence, from the microscopic to the cosmic scale. I explore this shape through various materials like steel, plastic, and stone, creating both structured and organic installations. My large-scale inflatable works have not only made a splash on social media but have significantly pushed forward my artistic career. What I’m most proud of, though, is my perseverance—the ability to stick with my art until it became sustainable. As for what sets me apart? It’s my relentless work ethic. I might not be the only hard worker out there, but my commitment to consistency, even in the absence of immediate results, has been a game-changer.

Far from smooth—it’s been a wild and often unpredictable ride to get to where I am today. Transitioning from a solid career in hospitality to the volatile world of art was filled with challenges. Being an artist is tough; it’s about constantly creating, driven by a vision or a story that demands to be told. And trust me, it doesn’t always go as planned. Many times, it felt like I was just throwing ideas into the wind, with little to show for it. There were plenty of setbacks and periods when nothing seemed to work. But the key was to keep going, keep creating, regardless of the feedback or lack thereof.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Here’s the itinerary I’d plan if a friend from out of town was visiting Miami for the week: Day 1: Start with a relaxing beach day to help them unwind and soak up the sun. Miami’s endless summer vibes are perfect for some serious sunbathing. In the evening, we’d enjoy a lovely dinner at Catch.
Day 2: Another beach day, but this time with more excitement. We’ll try activities like wake surfing or jet skiing, now that we’re recharged. Dinner will be at Blue Ribbon, my favorite sushi spot at the Plymouth Hotel.
Day 3: Kick off the morning with a delicious breakfast at Morgans in Midtown. Then, we’ll immerse ourselves in Wynwood’s street art scene, exploring the walls, visiting galleries, and grabbing a meal at Kyu.
Day 4: Spend the day shopping in the Design District, finishing up at Brickell City Center. In the evening, we’ll enjoy a dinner at Kote and end the night with drinks at Socialista.
Day 5: Time for a boat day. We’ll gather a crew, rent a 75-footer, and cruise down to Elliott Key.
Day 6: After soaking up so much sun, we’ll have a relaxing day by the pool. A chilled afternoon paddle boarding followed by a BBQ sounds perfect.
Day 7: Sadly, it’s time for my friend to head home. But three weeks later, they’ll miss Miami so much that they’ll decide to move here!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate my Shoutout to Connor Dolan, my right-hand man in the studio and an incredibly talented artist in his own right. Connor is a Miami native who got a degree in Painting at Washington University in St. Louis before returning to South Florida. His work is scientific and research heavy but incredibly aesthetic forward. He’s insatiably curious about the natural and mechanical world. Connor sometimes works with hard-to-obtain and unique materials. His work has been shown at galleries in St. Louis, Kansas City, South Florida, and Los Angeles as well as featured by Dazed Korea and Sculpture Magazine among other publications. Connor has been integral in the scaling of Kolodny Art, he definitely deserves a ton of recognition for the success we’ve achieved.

Website: kolodny.art

Instagram: @kolodnyart

Image Credits
Myles Bunker