Thursday
Nov082012
From OKCupid to retro Americana // An interview with artist Lizzie Gill
Nov 8, 2012
Lizzie Gill is a mixed media artist and 3rd Ward member who works out of Port Chester, NY. Her work will be featured at Friday's ArtArray: a free showcase bringing together artists across dramatically different styles. Check out our Q&A with Lizzie and learn about her creative process. RSVP for ArtArray here.
How do you land on the titles for your mixed media pieces? For instance, "OKCupid Match" doesn't appear to line up with the specific piece you've created. What inspires your titles?
I draw inspiration for titles from everyday life, peculiar interactions and eavesdropping, I'll usually jot something down if it strikes me, if it doesn't just stick. "Ok Cupid Match" is a reference to a poem I wrote called "Everyone is Moving to the Internet." In regards to that specific piece, I'm considering the building of your physical life alongside the dichotomy of your cyber self.
I draw inspiration for titles from everyday life, peculiar interactions and eavesdropping, I'll usually jot something down if it strikes me, if it doesn't just stick. "Ok Cupid Match" is a reference to a poem I wrote called "Everyone is Moving to the Internet." In regards to that specific piece, I'm considering the building of your physical life alongside the dichotomy of your cyber self.
OK Cupid Match by Lizzie Gill | mixed media on wood panel
At what point in life did you decide you want to be an artist? What was your first brush with creating something original?
Actually being an artist confronted me when I didn't get into graduate school. That's when I had to break my 17-year streak in the education system and figure out what it meant to be an artist. It's been an ever-evolving head spin. My first brush with creating something original was a family portrait in the second grade on non-archival paper.
Actually being an artist confronted me when I didn't get into graduate school. That's when I had to break my 17-year streak in the education system and figure out what it meant to be an artist. It's been an ever-evolving head spin. My first brush with creating something original was a family portrait in the second grade on non-archival paper.
In your new media pieces, it looks like you're cutting out pieces of Americana that aren't typically seen as art to create art. For instance, we can see tool records and textbook excerpts in your work. Is there something specific about these items that motivate you to create your art?
I find interest In all types of Americana. The textbook references are vestiges of former schools of thought, that are just as dated as the images they accompany. These writings, charts and graphics encapsule a time period, for me, sometimes more than the figurative imagery.
I find interest In all types of Americana. The textbook references are vestiges of former schools of thought, that are just as dated as the images they accompany. These writings, charts and graphics encapsule a time period, for me, sometimes more than the figurative imagery.
Did you attempt to do anything else in life other than create art? What did you try to do?
Creating art is something I choose to live with, how that works is an ever evolving process. I've worked a few stints in art galleries and curating online galleries for media blogs, but experiencing that side of the art world can not only be confronting, but also frustrating due to the fickle trends in the art world and the bandwagon mentality.
fat cat by Lizzie Gill | new mediaHow has the Internet impacted what you do in terms of creating art?
I believe that the internet has compromised the terms of a piece after it has been created. Upon graduating school, the internet has become the virtual validation in lieu of a classroom. The underscore of a piece used to be when it was finished, now uploading, tweeting, face-booking and blogging are the necessary steps in order to consider a work "done." The internet has made everyone an anonymous critic, which is nice if you're an art darling, but a Facebook "like" is hardly a constructive critique. Even if you're lucky enough to get your work in front of someone via the internet, you still face the task of capturing their interest long enough to take a second look at your work. Often, after this brief window of opportunity, your work is quickly overlooked. As far as creating art, other than my copy of Photoshop which I'm thankful for, my imagery is physically sourced from thrifted, re-appropriated, dumpster dived Americana, it's part of the fun.
I believe that the internet has compromised the terms of a piece after it has been created. Upon graduating school, the internet has become the virtual validation in lieu of a classroom. The underscore of a piece used to be when it was finished, now uploading, tweeting, face-booking and blogging are the necessary steps in order to consider a work "done." The internet has made everyone an anonymous critic, which is nice if you're an art darling, but a Facebook "like" is hardly a constructive critique. Even if you're lucky enough to get your work in front of someone via the internet, you still face the task of capturing their interest long enough to take a second look at your work. Often, after this brief window of opportunity, your work is quickly overlooked. As far as creating art, other than my copy of Photoshop which I'm thankful for, my imagery is physically sourced from thrifted, re-appropriated, dumpster dived Americana, it's part of the fun.
You're a 3rd Ward member. What's the best thing about being a part of this community?
It's a great support base for artists. It's easy to feel disconnected from your peers working in a studio alone, it brings discourse about art back into reality.
