SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Tanner Valant’s work has garnered millions of views across social media, and on Friday, he made history as one of the youngest to have their artwork featured in a gallery in the heart of Santa Fe’s Arts District. Self-taught, Valant began his career four years ago through the isolation of COVID-19. […]
SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Tanner Valant’s work has garnered millions of views across social media, and on Friday, he made history as one of the youngest to have their artwork featured in a gallery in the heart of Santa Fe’s Arts District. Self-taught, Valant began his career four years ago through the isolation of COVID-19. “And when the pandemic hit, I all of a sudden had a ton of time on my hands and with that extra time I decided to start creating art,” said Valant.
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Soon after, he took to social media with short clips featuring his art which gained traction and some even went viral. “I went from 8,000 followers to over 100,000 followers in a matter of a couple months. And that allowed me to start working with galleries all across the world from Denver to Philadelphia to London and to now being the youngest artist represented on Canyon Road,” said Valant.
It’s a road some say that people from all over the world come to visit. “I work on Canyon Road, I love Canyon Road. Santa Fe is an art mecca. You get to see the best of the best here,” said one person.
From a blank slate to the finished product, his pieces take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a month to perfect. With no formal training prior to many of his famous works, Valant now attends School of the Art Institute of Chicago hoping to explore other mediums with the hope that this is the just beginning of his career. “I’m really excited to see where this goes because I’m 19 and if I can get these experiences now, I’m excited to see what happens four years from now, ten years from now, so I’m very thankful to have this opportunity,” said Valant.
The Aurelia Gallery will continue to show Valant’s Two Minds exhibition through October 6.