Camden Stevens

Instagram Link: instagram.com/camden.c3/

3. Statement

Camden Stevens (b. 2002) is a multidisciplinary artist and curator based out of St. Paul Minnesota. Through his use of repeat characters, stylized forms, and graphic elements, Stevens’ work architects a space to examine his conflicting perspectives on representations of gender, identity, and interpersonal connection. Cycling back and forth between the disapproval and glamorization of masculinity, he speaks to the audience in code, only allowing the viewer as much knowledge as he can afford to provide. From large scale works depicting globe headed boxers, to action figure scale bronze sculptures, Stevens fleshes out a world of his own creation. This world is where he is free to grapple with his identity, relishing in the beauty of exaggerated emotionalism and scrutinizing the performative nature of gender.

Stevens completed his BFA in Studio Art at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. His recent exhibitions include Joy in the Next Room (2025) and STARGAZER (2024) at Schmidt’s Landmark Gallery in St. Paul, MN.

4. About the work(s)

So, So, Selfish!, 2025, ink on canvas, 11x11 inches.

Description:

Dancers, soldiers, or something in between, "So, So, Selfish" is an homage to his long time connection to the world of dance. While still maintaining a sense of play, the white linework gives the viewer only a piece of a larger picture, spawning questions about how much an audience is really allowed to see when interacting with artworks. It allows us to question process, performance, and the true intentions behind seemingly direct messaging.

Mouthful/Whipping Boy, 2025, ink on canvas, 11x11 inches.

Description:

Named after the Brotherkenzie song, "Mouthful/Whipping Boy" is one of Stevens' most confrontational works yet. Intermingling childish drawings of slot machines and car crashes, and a wet, cropped full color drawing of the artist's mouth create a dynamic and nonlinear narrative that can leave the viewer searching for clues for hours.

Conversations With Your Sponsor, 2024, ink on matte paper on custom panel, 42x42 inches.

Description:

Offering a critique on vices in one's life, "Conversations with your sponsor" explores Stevens' relationship with his escapist tendencies, and how those have been informed for better or for worse by generational trauma. Placing the red top of a Smirnoff bottle (reimagined by Stevens' ever present world building) front and center allows the eye to analyze the piece from the center to the edges, building out narratives of graduation, isolation, and consumption. This work makes a point to retell tragic narratives to the viewer without losing its playful, tongue and cheek tone in the process.

Dancer 3, 2024, metal, 23x24 inches.

Description:

One of six dancers created by Stevens, "Dancer 3" once again pays homage to stevens' roots of performance, but this time through a highly minimalistic, almosted shadow-esque construction. Taking inspiration from ancient language, "Dancer 3" is one part of an ever unfolding language that spans across Stevens' entire body of work. Its wavy edges and signature globed head (shiny spot and all) give the viewer the most refined and minimalistic expression of Stevens' universe yet.

Strawberry Jelly, 2024, ink on matte paper on custom panel, 44x63 inches.

Description:

A testament to masculinity in all of its glory, "Strawberry Jelly" places the viewer right within the ring, getting up close and personal with glorious and violent expression.The beautiful crimson of the gloves, the cream colored stripes of a worn down flag, and a dimly lit auditorium with no seats present offer an updated glimpse into the beauty of traditional americana imagery. The scale of the work offers a dramatized, almost cinematic look into a surprisingly intimate moment between the two men, allowing the two individuals to be seen like never before.

5. Anything else

I have been really into boxing, the inside of the mouth and pictures of horses lately, if you make artwork that reflects those themes, email me at Stargazerbyc3@gmail.com