Growing up in small-town ‘Berta, AJA Louden’s early interactions with art were modest. “I have strong memories of ripping the perforated edge off this piece of paper my parents handed me and then sitting down to get ready to draw,” he recalls.
Although Louden initially pursued a degree in biological sciences (with an interest in botany), he found his calling in design and eventually, public art. “The sciences are actually such a big part of my practice as an artist today,” he notes, highlighting how his understanding of temperature and pressure with spray paint has refined his technique.
Edmonton became the landscape that fueled Louden’s transition from a small-town sketcher to a full-fledged artist. “Moving from a small town, I was inspired by the different food here. Food is one of my favourite things, and it sparks my creativity,” he says. “And seeing graffiti on freight trains was like having a moving art gallery come through town.”
Louden’s work extends beyond personal achievements. Through his Aerosol Academy, he’s taught workshops and mentored emerging artists like Matthew Cardinal. Their collaboration on a mural in Beaver Hills House Park named “mâmawinitowin,” was created because as Louden says, “We wanted to do something that celebrated syllabics and the languages that have been spoken here so long, and also combine that with our love of street art.”
That’s what is so special about Louden — his art tells a story, amplifies voices, and celebrates the complexities of the human experience.
This article appears in the Nov/Dec 2024 issue of Edify
