I recently got together with one of the artists on Bingo Dingo, Alex Bowman. We got coffee in her neighborhood, Logan Square where I asked her questions. Then we went back to her place drank beer while she showed me a hilarious new show called Broad City. I also took some photos of her work and her amazing house. Read on.
When you first started SAIC what was your major? I started off as a painting major, and then I switched to graphic design. Graphic design made me feel limited as an artist, due to the loss of truly working with my hands. I ended up changing my major to Printmaking, and by using different techniques such as letterpress; I began combining design and fine art. I immediately fell in love with printmaking’s meticulous process; I find it very meditative.
What are your main focuses when it comes to the type of art you make? Mostly prints, and drawings. However, I have been working with bookbinding and collage a lot lately too. What were some challenges for you while you were in art school? I used to be really shy, so critiques were kind of hard for me at first. As time went on it did get easier. Dialogue between your peers is essential to truly develop as an artist.
Are there any weird techniques/ rituals you do to make a piece? For one of the pieces I've made, I dug through trash to find nice large pieces of cardboard. I find a lot of cool stuff in the trash. Other than that, just sipping a beer, listening to some funky tunes and relaxing in my room helps me get inspired.
What's the best neighborhood for trash digging in Chicago? You can hit the jackpot almost anywhere during spring and summer when everyone is moving out!
Most interesting thing you've found in the trash? A framed picture of Matthew Barney.
Other than making art, what do you do in your free time? I like going to the MCA, and student run galleries. I work as an intern at the Art Institute, so I always find myself wandering around finding hidden treasures in the museum. I also really love riding my bike around the city and going out to bars with my buddies. Oh, and record shopping!
Your go-to drink ATM? Gin and Tonic.
Who are some of your favorite artists? My friend Cameron Welch is an amazing painter. I own one of his paintings; and it takes up a whole wall in my living room. It defiantly adds a lot if charm to my apartment. I love David Hammonds, Adrian Piper and Martin Puryear as well. Jacob Lawrence might be my favorite.
I know these next questions are almost unanswerable but..favorite music right now? I’ve always loved blues and jazz music. Stuff like Howlin' Wolf and Miles Davis. I get down with Hip Hop, all the time. Wu-Tang Clan, De La Soul, Tribe Called Quest, the classics. And also 3 Six Mafia, Gucci Mane, Mf Doom, 2 Chainz…the list goes on. But right now? I would have to say Dengue Fever and Black Sabbath.
Movies? Darjeeling Limited.
What's something more people should know about? I'm really into African American Art history. I think it's important to bring Black artists into light. You rarely see artists of color showcased in museums. I’m not saying it doesn’t happen, but it definitely doesn’t happen enough, especially female artists of color. You can’t forget about the ladies!
Worst habits of yours? Biting my nails and smoking. I’m trying to quit both.
Whose Instagram should we follow? Juicy J. I'm kind of obsessed with that whole hip hop culture. The bling, the drugs, and the luxury is so cheesy yet beautiful to me.
What else have you been really interested/ obsessed with lately? I'm obsessed with is nail growth. The way women perform with long nails, and nails as a symbol of power is a subject that has always interested me. I’m also fascinated with outer space, the final frontier. I see the universe as a metaphor for peace. There is something called the overview effect it is the result of astronauts viewing earth from above. This effect actually generates some sort of “cognitive shift” It's got to be the craziest feeling. Astronauts that have been interviewed say it has given them a better appreciation for humanity, and a strong feeling of unity with the planet. A feeling that is almost unexplainable.
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