Artist Interview – Megan Savoy

 

 

Brief artists statement: My work combines the aesthetic of femininity, the politics of feminism and where those two things blur. What does it mean to be a feminine feminist?

How did you become an artist? Did you always dream of a life in the art-world?
I believe that the moment I became an artist was the day that I found my father’s paints. I was 4 or so. He left them on my nightstand as he was painting a Beauty and the Beast mural on my wall. That night I painted my bed sheets, my pajamas, and my skin was an abundance of colors. Well I woke up the next morning and thought my skin had a disease and started crying. I was hysterical.

How has your education helped your career?
PNCA is a great school and the Faculty is unbelievably supportive (and talented). My freshman year I didn’t realize the opportunity I had until I started taking different teachers. Once I found encouragement from some of my teachers, my work got better. It’s always great to find someone who is as excited about what you have to say, as you are. 

Do you work as an artist full-time? Describe your typical day. Do you have a routine?
I school as an artist full-time. The rest of my time away from school is mostly spent making art. I wake up groggy and roll myself to school. I walk a mile, which is both a burden and a blessing. For one, it’s rainy here. But the walk wakes me up. I usually have studio classes from 11am-5pm, which is a great amount of time to discuss and make work. I then head to the studio and work for a few hours or until I feel satisfied with my progress. I head home around 10 or so and then spend a few hours on writing assignments or watch some Arrested Development. Then I snooze.

Which historical and contemporary artists do you refer to most often? How are you influenced by their work?
Oh my. Janine Antoni, Laurel Nakadate, Pipilotti Rist, Cindy Sherman, Candice Breitz, Sue DeBeer, Aurel Schmidt. These are all at the top of my list. I have so many others but these artists inform my work the most.

What are the other influences on your work?
The everyday. Art in the everyday. I really see myself influenced by just living my life. There is art in everything, and if there isn’t than manipulate it until it is art.

What was the last exhibition you visited?
I guess last biggest exhibition would be at the Met in New York. I saw Savage Beauty. Alexander McQueen exhibition. It was absolutely the most amazing exhibition I have ever seen. The curator has, in my opinion, redefined curating.

What is your favourite art gallery?
My favorite art gallery would have to be MoMA. I have only been once, and wasn’t even able to cover enough ground. I just love the way PS1 changes so frequently as well as the contemporary young artists that have shown there.

What are your experiences of the ‘art-world’ and the business of art?
Oh, the term “art world.” Well I guess for the last 3 and a half years I have been submerged in the Portland “art-world.” I attend First Thursday, Last Thursday, and artists talks. It is really amazing to see the local young artists producing such strong work. And there are so many that are doing so much. It’s great to know these people and for them to know you. You are a contact. I am a contact. We dig each others work and we can help each other out.

Do you have any tips or advice you wish you had known earlier in your career?
Just because you had the idea 5 years ago, does not mean that that idea is invalid now. Also, experiment with everything.

Do you have a quotation that you keep coming back to and that keep you going? Have you a motto that gets you through?
 “You can’t win the lottery, if you don’t enter.” It was this thing my mom said to me once when I was trying out something new. What it was exactly, I don’t recall. Either way, it helps me not to doubt my work and myself.

Which historical artist do you think is over-rated? Why?
Oh no! Controversial question. I don’t know if this appropriate to answer as it seems a little cheeky. They’ll know this was said about them.

Do you or would you use assistants to make your work?
I mainly just do all of the work myself. I get help from friends when they know how to do something I don’t. I had my friend help me in the woodshop and so that has definitely opened up a new way for working. But I am the main hands in my art.

Do you use social networks? if so, how and which ones do you find most useful?
I use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I also use Tumblr but, although it’s a blogging site, I find it social.  

Which artist should we all look up immediately? What art magazines, blogs or sites should art lovers be looking at?
Laurel Nakadate, if you haven’t already. Vadis Turner, because she is extremely intuitive when selecting her materials. She really knows what materials communicate what. And the Faculty and Staff at my school have some great work.

Finish this limerick:
There once was an artist from… everywhere (It’s conceptual!)