Terrance Graven

Who is Terrance Graven?

Terrance Graven is a San Francisco artist whose installations often incorporate sculptural elements, live performances, costumes, sound pieces, and theatrical lighting. He studied at Indiana University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University. He has also studied privately at Michael Markowitz Art Studios.

In 1990, he was a principal performer for Harupin-Ha, the first Bay Area Butoh troupe, headed by Koichi and Hiroko Tamano. He also has trained with Yumiko Yoshioka, Akira Kasai, Anzu Furukawa, Yuri Nagaoka, and Diego Piñon.

In 1992, he formed COLLAPSINGsilence Performance Troupe, which was active for thirteen years. The troupe designed and fabricated all costumes, props, puppets, and site-specific installations.

In 2009, he exhibited a solo show at David Cunningham Projects Gallery entitled "TEMPVS". According to writer Traci Vogel of The SF Weekly, "In his performance work, Graven visits territory pioneered by the Viennese Actionists and feminist artists such as Carolee Schneeman, who claimed the body as a canvas.