much experience or education in the arts– and that the combination of these artists’ work made it possible for viewers to come away feeling like they found something in the show that spoke to them on some level. As a curator, it’s been hugely satisfying to see this through from start to finish. I knew that it was going to be awesome but didn’t realize just how awesome it would be. And I can’t take credit for that–the artists did the work, I just put the framework together to help make it happen.
What new challenges have presented themselves while in the role of curator? It’s been a huge learning experience from start to finish. I had a bit of an idea about what it would take to pull something together but then the project got so much bigger than I expected and every part of it was so much more involved than I realized. But if you’re going to do something, you may as well do it right. It was juggling all the little details that was the hardest thing. Being in charge of things is so satisfying, but so hard–especially when trying to juggle my own artistic process at the same time. Next time I decide to do a big huge project like this I’m hiring a couple of interns. Having worked on walls and in nature, can you share with us how viewing your work and other artists work in a public space affected you? I really enjoy seeing people interact with their environment on multiple levels, whether as an artist creating something in a public space, or watching reactions of passersby to the finished product or work in progress, or talking to passersby as I am painting, discussing what I’m doing and why. I think that street art affords us the opportunity to reconnect to our environment, whether that is within a city or outside its limits. I think that in this day and age, any chance we can get to expand our perceptions outside our individual and collective bubbles is hugely important.
“Weighted, I remain” (detail) • Oil on canvas, 2010
You seem to always enjoy group projects. How do processes intermingle in collaborative works? I think it’s a really humbling process. You come to it with a base of ideas to build on and expectations of where it’s going to end up, and you have to be really open to those initial ideas and expectations changing. It really forces you to let go of your ego as an individual and embrace something that’s more fluid – problem solving as you go – allowing the project to evolve while finding ways to stay true to the overall concept. I really enjoy working with others as everyone has their own strengths and insights to bring to the work. It’s always a learning experience for all involved.
PREVIEW: INDIGO