> bio > a conversation with sally -
part 2 of 3
How important is the text in your work?
It is now hard for me to believe that once I did pieces that were untitled. Text has become an essential part of my work and a way of communicating with the public. It is a way of giving the viewer a starting point from which to engage more easily with the subject matter and understand the visual language I use.
How does your relationship with America and Britain influence your work?
When you become completely familiar with two cultures it is almost impossible to know where one ends and the other begins. However, I would say Britain has created for me a greater respect for history and the US taught me to take up a new idea and run with it.
What do these types of projects mean to you?
They are a life line. They give structure to my daily life and allow me to focus and develop ideas and grow as an artist.
Would you like to be a fly on the wall at one of your exhibitions?
Of course, I find the reaction of people fascinating. I enjoy the idea that I may give them something to think about, especially something that they may not have ordinarily considered. Also being a fly would give me many things to think about!
Is there a compulsion to being an artist?
I don’t know any artist who wouldn’t say yes. It is simply something you must do; there is no way you can stop – it is like any other essential aspect to our being, like eating and sleeping.
Do you consider yourself compulsive?
I am completely compulsive about art – I work on my art in some way every single day - even when I am on holiday. My husband often says all I talk about is art!
Are there any artists who have particularly influenced you?
Many. I also have a BA in the History of Art, so I have been affected by all kinds of art from pre-history (cave paintings) to Classical Art, Byzantine to Monet and Matisse, the Abstract Expressionists to Andy Warhol and Minimalism to Conceptual Art and Installations.
Are there any other significant influences on your work?
I am addicted to antiquities and part of me has always wanted to be an archaeologist. I am fascinated by what people and their civilizations leave behind, the tiny fragments of color. For me, a trip to the British Museum is much more inspiring in terms of color, texture and intellectual stimulus than visits to many contemporary galleries.
Do you mind what happens to your work in the future?
Artists will obviously always have an attachment to their work. On one hand I would love for my series to stay together, however it would also be wonderful to have parts of a series spread around Britain and perhaps even the world. I always think it would be a great thing to come across a work when you are least expecting to see it.
> a conversation with sally continued
How important is the text in your work?
It is now hard for me to believe that once I did pieces that were untitled. Text has become an essential part of my work and a way of communicating with the public. It is a way of giving the viewer a starting point from which to engage more easily with the subject matter and understand the visual language I use.
How does your relationship with America and Britain influence your work?
When you become completely familiar with two cultures it is almost impossible to know where one ends and the other begins. However, I would say Britain has created for me a greater respect for history and the US taught me to take up a new idea and run with it.
What do these types of projects mean to you?
They are a life line. They give structure to my daily life and allow me to focus and develop ideas and grow as an artist.
Would you like to be a fly on the wall at one of your exhibitions?
Of course, I find the reaction of people fascinating. I enjoy the idea that I may give them something to think about, especially something that they may not have ordinarily considered. Also being a fly would give me many things to think about!
Is there a compulsion to being an artist?
I don’t know any artist who wouldn’t say yes. It is simply something you must do; there is no way you can stop – it is like any other essential aspect to our being, like eating and sleeping.
Do you consider yourself compulsive?
I am completely compulsive about art – I work on my art in some way every single day - even when I am on holiday. My husband often says all I talk about is art!
Are there any artists who have particularly influenced you?
Many. I also have a BA in the History of Art, so I have been affected by all kinds of art from pre-history (cave paintings) to Classical Art, Byzantine to Monet and Matisse, the Abstract Expressionists to Andy Warhol and Minimalism to Conceptual Art and Installations.
Are there any other significant influences on your work?
I am addicted to antiquities and part of me has always wanted to be an archaeologist. I am fascinated by what people and their civilizations leave behind, the tiny fragments of color. For me, a trip to the British Museum is much more inspiring in terms of color, texture and intellectual stimulus than visits to many contemporary galleries.
Do you mind what happens to your work in the future?
Artists will obviously always have an attachment to their work. On one hand I would love for my series to stay together, however it would also be wonderful to have parts of a series spread around Britain and perhaps even the world. I always think it would be a great thing to come across a work when you are least expecting to see it.
> a conversation with sally continued
