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

Art and Environmental Justice: How Art Can Promote a Sustainable Future

Image
 Art and Environmental Justice: How Art Can Promote a Sustainable Future By Dr Joshua Y’Barbo (7 May 2024) Earth's Day (Hurt, Sad, Upset) (2023) by Joshua Y'Barbo Colour pencil, sticker, and pen on paper. 210 mm x 297 mm. Introduction As an artist-in-residence for the TEAM LEWIS Foundation , I research important social and sustainability issues within art and culture at the  intersections of the creative and communication industries . Last month, I hosted Earth Day , which inspired me to write about how art can promote a more sustainable future.  Art has been a powerful tool for advocacy throughout history, particularly in global challenges we’ve faced over recent decades. In more recent years, art projects have become a means of promoting environmental justice.  Art has the capacity to raise awareness, to engage creativity for addressing complex problems, and may also support transformation to sustainability ( Dieleman 2017 ). However, the impact and outcome of a g...
Read more

Art Lesson for Earth Day: Using Art to Promote Environmental Justice

Image
 Art Lesson for Earth Day: Using Art to Promote Environmental Justice Created by Joshua Y'Barbo on 13 May 2024 via https://5minutelessonplan.co.uk/ As an artist for the TEAM LEWIS Foundation , I constantly research the intersection of the creative and communication industries and significant global, sustainable concerns. Last month, I explored the connections between art and Earth Day. After finishing an article highlighting art and environmental justice, I created a lesson plan for those interested in teaching how art can promote a sustainable future. Big Picture This lesson explores how art can be used to advocate for environmental justice, raise awareness about climate issues, and inspire action. Students will engage in various art forms to visually represent and tell stories about environmental challenges and solutions. Objectives • Understand the role of art in promoting environmental justice • Learn how art can raise awareness and inspire action on climate issues • Eng...
Read more

Participatory Art and Labour: Exploring Creative Collaboration and Advocacy

Image
Participatory Art and Labour: Exploring Creative Collaboration and Advocacy Dr Joshua Y'Barbo   Wash Your Memory Inflation (2023) by  Choeun Kim.  Digital Print. As an artist-in-residence for the TEAM LEWIS Foundation , I research intersections between art and communication, which involves writing about important social and sustainability issues within art and culture. Last month, we celebrated May Day , a historically significant day in the labour movement, marking the global recognition of workers' contributions and the achievements of the international labour movement. This meaningful occasion, deeply rooted in the struggle for workers' rights, serves as a fitting time to acknowledge the role of participatory, socially engaged art in advocating for workers' rights and social change. These art forms have been instrumental in engaging communities, expressing the struggles and triumphs of the working class, and highlighting social justice and inequality issues. Through...
Read more