Written Interview with Pippy Stephenson

Interview with Pippy Stepheson

Conducted 14 February 2022

Tom to David (2021) by Pippy Stephenson 
Digital Print, Scan, Handwritten Text

JY: Tell me about your practice: what do you make work about, how do you go about making your work, what do you think about when making your work? Do you still make work?

PH: Doing a Fine Art degree taught me that I’d rather be a writer than an artist. So I haven’t been making art since I graduated but I have been writing a lot. And all the things I was interested in with my art I’m still writing about so I suppose not a great deal has changed. I make work about connections. I’m interested in how we’re connected to history and how objects, people, places and anything really can be situated in a greater whole and can be understood in relation to each other.

JY: How was studying and finishing your degree during the pandemic? What impact did it have on your studies and the work you make?

PH: The pandemic definitely had a pretty significant impact on my degree. I don’t want to spend too much time complaining and mourning what could have been, and re-hashing all the things we missed out on, so aside from the obvious negatives, I think the introspection and time alone meant that I came out with a more in-depth area of interest that feels more solidly defined. And I think the pandemic, or more specifically the lockdowns turned me onto ideas of simplicity and honesty being something to strive for which meant that I presented my work in a more confident way for my degree show.

JY: Based on your experiences, do you have any problem-solving advice for other artists & designers?

PH: I doubt that I’m the greatest person to seek advice from but I guess you’ve just got to follow your nose. I think when faced with a problem, walk away and come back later. Do something else to keep busy. Follow what you're naturally being pulled towards and see what happens.

JY: What are your immediate concerns or interests, both personally and professionally?

PH: Both in my work and my life I’m looking to find out how to reach some kind of simple, sustainable, contentment. I know that may sound dull but I think the consumption and constant stimulation of our time is too much for me mentally and also too much for the planet generally. So I’m personally trying to make changes to my life, to live more simply and slowly for both my brain and the planet. 





About the Artist

Pippy Stephenson 
Tom to David (2021)
Digital Print, Scan, Handwritten Text
BA (Hons) Fine Art
https://www.pippystephenson.com/



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TEAM LEWIS Foundation 2023-2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition

Image
Pictured (right to left): Breaking Boundaries  (2022) by  Pallavi Verm,  Unfamiliar Flowers (2022) by  Sole Mangal, My Garden (2022) by Jazmin Harmar, and  The Floral Act of Giving ( 2022) by  Hollie Pennell .     About The TEAM LEWIS Foundation 2023-2024 Emerging Artist Exhibition  includes a selection of emerging artists from Chelsea College of Art, including MA, Graduate Diploma, and BA Fine Art, Graphic Communication and Textile Design courses. The collection of original artworks, designs, and prints gives an overview of the creative talent coming out of Chelsea College. At the same time, a series of interviews available  on my blog  provides further context to the ideas and conditions of recent graduates working through the pandemic. Millbank Tower, 22nd Floor Millbank, London SW1P 4RS   If you'd like to visit the exhibition, please email Amber Ashby - at  amber.ashby@teamlewis.com  to arrange access to the building.     List of Artists and Designers Anita-praise Nweke Ala W
Read more

Art Club: Gallery Visit to Sarah Lucas’ Happy Gas at Tate Britain

Image
  Art Club: Gallery Visit to Sarah Lucas’ Happy Gas at Tate Britain By Joshua Y'Barbo F lorian  and  Kevin  (2015) by Sarah Lucas is displayed at the Tate Britain (2023). Photo by Joshua Y'Barbo As an artist-in-residence for the TEAM LEWIS Foundation and a lecturer at the University of the Arts London , I write Art Clubs for cross-sector audiences and teach various theoretical, practical, and research-based skills transferable across art and design.  This month, I led a group of women from TEAM LEWIS through Sara Lucas’ Happy Gas at the Tate Britain. Doing so allowed me to learn more about and reform my opinion about Lucas’ work and talk about and share these ideas with the group.  Photo by Joshua Y'Barbo The group of young women, who predominately never studied art but are very aware of gender inequality across many aspects of life, initially wanted to see the exhibition because of the giant phallic marrow sculptures  Florian and Kevin (2015) installed in the front l
Read more

Art Club for The Brain Tumour Charity Exhibition, Time (March-April 2023)

Image
Art Club for The Brain Tumour Charity Exhibition, Time (March-April 2023) By Joshua Y’Barbo   25 May 2023 As an artist-in-residence for the  TEAM LEWIS Foundatio n and a lecturer for the  MA Global Collaborative Design Practice  at the  University of the Arts London , I write  Art Clubs  for cross-sector audiences and teach a range of theoretical, practical, and research-based skills transferable across art and design.  Introduction In April, I worked with The Brain Tumour Charity (TBTC), a dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally, which hosted an exhibition, Time , at the Business Design Centre in London. Sponsored by the TEAM LEWIS Foundation (TLF), I helped the charity look for donations for the exhibition auction. I also offered a day-long workshop for the exhibition with open drawing stations. I delivered a series of drawing exercises based on colour-as-feeling, sense of identity, and sharing experiences, which I designed to enhance the well-being and quality of
Read more