“The Edge… There is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over.” -Hunter S. Thompson, Hell’s Angels
Many of us have stood at the precipice, looked over the edge of the cliff into the abyss. This is a part of human existence, to meet moments along the way that force us to question everything we thought we knew. Some of these may be small challenges, those that we can easily overcome and continue on our journey. Others rise up so high that they seem to block the path ahead, leaving us to wonder whether we will ever find our way forward again. In these moments, draw on your strength, and do not be afraid to tap the strength of those around you.
Timothy Gierschick II spent the first half of 2020 unable to go into his studio due to potential exposure to Coronavirus. Instead, he worked on small projects at home. After about six months he moved back to working in his studio and began working on larger, more extensive pieces. Throughout the lockdown, he continued his job as a preparator at a Philadelphia museum where he was a quasi-essential worker ensuring that the art remained in good condition while the museum stayed closed. Gierschick works primarily on found panels, though he occasionally paints on canvas and does enjoy painting on paper. To hear more about his work, listen to the complete interview.
Biraaj Dodiya spoke to us from Mumbai, India in early May where the circumstances of the pandemic have become extreme. Both of Dodiya’s parents were COVID positive when she spoke with us, though they were beginning to recover at the time. In terms of her work, due to the lockdown, she is unable to be in her studio. Over the last year, she has been shifting between small and large canvas sizes. When she works, she considers the physicality of her body, contrasting this to the size of the painting. Dodiya works in the abstract, and the starting point for many of them has been the nocturnal landscape. As she paints, she finds that certain forms repeat themselves. To hear more about Biraaj Dodiya’s work as well as life under lockdown as COVID-19 rages in India including her online exhibitions of late, listen to the complete interview.
A Few Words to Keep in your Pocket:
There will be cliffs on the route, but they can be safely navigated.
Interviews are available on iTunes as podcasts, and for Android please click here. All weekly essay pieces in a shareable format are here. The full archive of interviews here.
Books to Read
What are you reading? Add your titles to our reading list here. Timothy Gierschick II recently picked up Mona by Pola Oloixarac. Biraaj Dodiya is reading Rembrandt’s Hat by Bernard Malamud.
Deadlines:
Sound Art Lab in Denmark invites artists who wish to work on a dedicated project to apply for residency. The duration of residency is three months, preferably beginning in August/September, during which time artists work and reside in Struer, Denmark. There is a one-time honorarium and artists are provided a round trip to Struer. For more information and to apply, visit the website. Deadline for applications is June 6.
Brainard Carey is an author, artist and educator. He is the director of Praxis Center for Aesthetics. He has written six books for artists; Making it in the Art World, New Markets for Artists, The Art World Demystified, Fund Your Dreams Like a Creative Genius, Sell Online Like a Creative Genius, and Succeed with Social Media Like a Creative Genius. His forthcoming book, Making it in the Art World, is available for pre-order with bonus content here.