Through her primary medium of photography, Allison Stewart's impulses are equally employed between personal psychological artistry and a kind of semantic visual documentation. Her recent series dig into social narratives that nest inside our generally alarmist, wartime, or at least conflict-driven cultural anxieties and historical identities ? for example, the prepper-adjacent enthusiasm for survival kits and the chronicling of once and former war memorials. Works from both these bodies of work are currently on view as part of the group exhibition Generation W(ar) at the Torrance Art Museum, through August 24 ? a profoundly timely show whose curatorial premise to investigate the militarization of society? dovetails perfectly with Stewart's own interests.

L.A. WEEKLY: When did you first know you were an artist?

ALLISON STEWART: I was always drawing and making things. When I was 7, my father took me to see an exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's sketchbooks and that was the moment I understood that being an artist was a job? in the world. I announced to him and my family that day that I was an artist.

What is your short answer to people who ask what your work is about??

My work focuses on the effects war has on our culture and the role of the hero. Right now I am traveling the United States and documenting the monuments and relics we protect, the people who keep them safe, and the pilgrims venerating them. I am interested in dialogue about how we construct our identity as Americans.

Allison Stewart: Confederate Monuments Removed from the University of Texas Front Lawn, Austin, Texas. Installed 1933. Removed 2017.What would you be doing if you weren't an artist??

Not breathing.

Did you go to art school? Why/Why not??

I attended University of Houston art programs because I also wanted to take classes in history, anthropology, philosophy and creative writing. I minored in art history. I love researching and seeing the world through different lenses.

Why do you live and work in L.A., and not elsewhere??

I was a nomad in my 20s. I lived in Houston, New York City and New Orleans before landing in L.A. L.A. has this incredible light and I fell in love with the mountains. When I moved here in 1999 it was very easy to find work space. I was able to have a great studio and be part of a wonderful art community, so I stayed.

When was your first show??

In college I curated a show of female painters and shamelessly curated myself in. It was at the Commerce Street Artist Warehouse in Houston, Texas in 1994.

When is/was your current/most recent/next show??

Right now I am in the show Generation W(ar) at the Torrance Art Museum curated by Max Presneill and Ichiro Irie. Several photographs from my project Bug Out Bag: The Commodification of American Fear as well as my new project Sacred Ground are included. Later this month I will be in a group show at the Griffin Museum of Photography in Massachusetts.

Do you listen to music while you work? If so what??

My studio is downtown and I love the sound of the city. That is my studio music.

Website and social media handles, please!

Website: Allison-Stewart.com

Instagram:? @AllisonLStewart

Twitter:? @alli_stewart