MADE IN ISOLATION {archive}

Describe yourself as a maker/artist/creative 

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I am an artist living in Silver Spring, Maryland.

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What are you currently working on?

 

I am currently making stuffed dolls, hand puppets and sewn and stuffed paintings. I am also making oil paintings on canvas and paper and drawings in oil pastel. Subject matter is my set of characters that include rats, cats, Office Dummy, cyclops and bats that sort of act out feelings of isolation, fear, anxiety, silliness, joy and love.

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Has your work shifted in response to the pandemic? How?

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My work time and output have increased due to the pandemic as I rarely go out anywhere. I work almost everyday but also due to money restrictions I recycle old drawings and use old pieces of clothing to reduce buying art supplies. I am able to focus much better due to the isolation though it sometimes affects my energy level to not have the stimulation of going to museums, etc.

 

In your opinion, what role does the creative process play in helping us confront our “new” reality?

 

I feel lucky to have the outlet of making art and wonder how anyone without it, whether it’s writing, music, art, cooking, etc. can survive this time period without going a little nuts. However, the creative process is about living and should be a part of daily life - not just something for after hours or to get us through this time period. I hope that people who have turned to creative pursuits during this time realize that art is not therapy - it is essential to living a full and rich life that particularly in America is very hard with the intense and necessary focus on making money to survive.

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Anything else you'd like to add?

 

I hope museums, galleries, etc. will use this time to forge new paths in reaching communities - I don’t mean with Zoom, etc. but with innovative ways to make art a part of life in general.

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See more of Victoria's work here.