Is collaborating something you want to continue doing (with other artists), or is this just a one-time venture?
It’s something I’d like to continue as long as I’m producing work. Many artists hide in their egos and don’t take risks and explore and play. I believe it’s necessary to present yourself with challenges. Collaboration doesn’t take away from one’s attention, it should done to build something unexpected and challenging. For the exhibition in NYC, I’ll also be collaborating on a video installation piece to go along with the narrative of the show.
How did you get the idea to mix illustration with photography?
I’ve always been inspired by mixed-media, particularly photographs that have been collaged, painted on, written on or manipulated to tell a story. An image can tell a story, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Insinuations and secrets can be played with manipulations. One can contradict the image to say something new. That’s why I named the show Let’s Get Lost. I like the idea of losing the structure that we become too comfortable with.
What do you like the most about intertwining the two?
People are suspicious of photography. It’s easily manipulated, and imagery is everywhere we look. I like the idea of taking an image and turning it into something original that cannot be reproduced. It’s great to start with a simple image that evolves, to see the layers of a process build and become something new.
