Happy Holidays all!
Here is our latest virtual interview from our I am an Artist series with North Dakota, Artist and Academic, Suzanne Gonsalez-Smith. I love her work it is really mysterious and intriguing. Suzanne's photography reminds me of the 20th century surrealist and alchemical painter,Remedios Varo. Enjoy her imagery and insights.
Why are you an artist?
My first memories are of watching my mother painting. I attribute her with my early interest in art. Overall all, I see my need to create a calling. For me, being an artist is a religious experience.
Why do you use the medium that you use?
I like to push the boundaries of what people consider photography to be. This often means I get to work with appropriated images or mixed media elements. Photography is such an ever-changing media it gives me a lot of freedom to try new things.
Tell us about your creative process? and what is the role of time in your work?
It often starts with an idea or a glimmer of an image I want to create. I always work in a series. I am very drawn to things of the past and search out new ways to create with them. This also means I am very drawn to the idea of myth and memory and its spatial relationship to physical time.
As far as the actual process, the idea begins and I start collecting items to be included in the photographic series or mixed media photo collages. I usually work on multiple series at the same time as it keeps me more interested and allows a period of rest in each series that helps me in the creation process. I will work in each series anywhere from six months to several years.
What do you hope your viewer walks away with after sitting with your work?
A reflection of me on the personal level and on the broader level a connection to memory, myth and the human experience that connects us all.
What influences your composition decision making? Is it planned out detail for detail or is it intuition, or both?
Most of my work has a strong sense of design and composition. I work a lot on intuition but also pay attention to the details of creating each piece based on past experience.
What is the role of the artist in our society? and in North Dakota?
I feel the role of an artist today is to remind the rest of the world of our humanity. The role of the artist is a direct reflection on what it means to be human. How that connection ties us to the past and the present and reminds us of our roots. Living in Grand Forks, North Dakota is far removed from my Hispanic culture and has caused me to push elements of that more into my work. Being an artist here is really no different then anywhere else. For me, I try to stand as a working example of an artist for my students to follow.
Where do you see yourself as an artist in 5 years?
Still working as an educator artist who continues to create and show on the national and international level.
What are your ultimate goals as an artist?
To create compelling work that is true to my soul.
What does art mean to you?
The act of creating art is a powerful force for me. It is as important as the air I breathe and it is my experience of being human expressed through images.
Suzanne Gonsalez-Smith
Assistant Professor of Art-Photography
Dept of Art & Design
The University of North Dakota
Assistant Professor of Art-Photography
Dept of Art & Design
The University of North Dakota
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1 Comments:
I LOVE your work! - Mono
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