GH: What has been the best compliment(s) that you’ve received about your work?
MC: People typically respond well to my work, but one time In grad school Jerry Saltz visited my studio. After talking with me about my work he told me I was a “real artist” I don’t know what he meant by that, but i figured i was on the right track.
Preserve
Matthew Craven, preserve, 2012, ink on paper, 20 x 30 inches
Interview questions by Veronica Schaible.
Heard of the fun and quirky British artist Lucy Powell?
Oh My God
Lucy Powell, Oh My God, 2009, house flies pinned to wall
More of her work here
Check out more of Jon Ching . His newest body of work is entitled Totem.
GH: You mentioned in an interview that your current body of work is still new to you and you don’t know where it’s exactly going. Do you have a better understanding of what your work is and where it’s going than when you showed at Nudashank (November 2011)?
MC: Yes for sure. It that point I was just sourcing new imagery. The imagery has lead me to created a whole new series of collages and ink drawing I will be showing at Hijinks in Feb. Like most artist you start with a feeling, and as the work progress you have time to really think and observe your own work. I am thrilled at the direction of the new work, and feel like it is finally exposing the concepts and narrative my work only hinted at in the past.
Matthew Craven, dwelling, 2012, ink on paper, 20 x 30 inches
Interview questions by Veronica Schaible.
Pascal Fellonneau, 2005, from the series Cold Cold Ground.
Pascal Fellonneau, 2009/2010, from the series Under Construction.
Pascal Fellonneau, from the series Iceland
Check out more of Pascal’s work here
GH: Do you think that the medium one chooses to work in reveals the nature of the creator? If so, what does collage/mixed media reflect or reveal about you?
MC: Sure, it brought out another impulse of mine, which is to collect objects. I think i needed that in my work, it is a whole other skill in itself.
GH: What initially drew you to collaging/mixed media?
MC: I was in grad school, and trying to redefine my work. I had given up on painting at that point and wanted another outlet. I have always loved working on paper much more than canvas. When sourcing imagery and materials for my collages, books seemed a much more interesting way to find paper than a art supply store can ever offer. It also allows me to incorporate this hunt for materials into my practice that bring me out of my studio and into the “real” world.
fragments, 2012, mixed media on found book pages, 9 x 12 inches
Lisa Congdon, who has previously shown her work in Gallery Hijinks, currently has work on exhibit in the Contemporary Jewish Museum. The show, entitled Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art, and Jewish Thought, is on display until May 28, 2012. Make sure you check out her work, entitled Connected, and the other fantastic 50 artists in the show!
Lisa Congdon, Connected, gouache, reclaimed wood
We recently came by Martin Machado‘s studio to see what he was working on for his upcoming show, opening on May 5th, and we’re really excited about his new work! Check out the photos below and the recording at the bottom to hear him talk about his new work and influences.
Marty's Studio
Click here to listen to Marty talk about his current work!
GH: Has using the Native American/Settlers created problems for you in any capacity?
MC: I use loaded imagery, I am well aware of it. Sometime people get hung up on singular imagery and cultural ownership of such things. I feel like its primarily based out of their fear of the unknown. This country gets extremely uncomfortable with any race/ religion/culture other than their own. I’m trying to point out where we ALL come from, and the history of mankind is singular. The goal is to form connections between modern life and the lives of the people who came before us.
Matthew Craven, speak, 2012, mixed media on found book pages, 9 x 12 inches.
