Joan Brown 

In this VHS archival interview from 1979, Bay Area Figurative artist Joan Brown spoke about how she drew inspiration from many sources to create colorful works that merge autobiography, fantasy, and whimsy. A painter whose life and work were rooted firmly in curiosity and deep exploration of the human experience, Brown is considered one of San Francisco’s most important local heroes. Learn more about the early days of her art practice, her love of swimming, and the unforgettable legacy she left behind.
About This Channel:
Wondering who makes art? Curious about the how...and the WHY?
Featuring insights directly from the artists, SFMOMA Shorts takes the public inside the studios, and minds, of a fascinating and diverse range of creators. With a collection that spans architecture, design, media arts, painting, sculpture, and photography, the museum's RU-vid channel is a go-to destination for videos about modern and contemporary art. New to SFMOMA Shorts? Start with the "Best of SFMOMA Shorts" playlist. Or, take a trip inside artist studios with “Artist Cribs” and discover the spaces and places where art is born. You can also find interviews about art on view at the museum in the "Now on View" playlist.
About SFMOMA:
Founded in 1935 under the direction of Grace McCann Morley, SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast dedicated to modern and contemporary art. While SFMOMA has yet to adopt an institution-wide land acknowledgment, we encourage audiences to view this film commissioned for our platform Open Space: sfmoma.me/3iKWF4c. Updates on the museum’s ongoing diversity, equity, and inclusion work can be found here: sfmoma.me/3a46wzO.
In support of our commitment to institutional accountability, SFMOMA’s social media team will routinely moderate and respond to public comments to ensure they remain spaces of lively discourse and art appreciation from many voices.