Novembers artist in a window is Anna Krystyna Casey she is a unique talent read more about her below!
What’s your
background?
I studied textiles throughout school, both traditional
dressmaking skills, and more contemporary aspects. I’ve always loved working
with manipulating fabrics, but through college and into my degree, I became
more interesting in creating an art outcome from my techniques.
What art do you most
identify with?
My personal interests and loves vary hugely, but I find I am
drawn to ceramics. While I don’t really work with ceramics myself, there are
similarities in my practice, and that of ceramicist’s. A concentration of
technique, form, colour, texture and shape.
What themes do you
pursue?
I love to look at the hidden details, to examine things
under a microscope, both metaphorically and literally. My Cell Cultures and
Cellular collections are inspired by microscopic imagery of the natural world.
My Hooked collection focuses on the linear qualities that are found in each
crochet stitch, as well as overall fabrics. I suppose I like to draw attention
to things which are often overlooked.
What jobs have you
done other than being an artist?
I started working as an artist from graduating (I went on to
uni from school and college) so this is my primary career. However I also work
as a Textiles Technician in a school, and do some freelance design work. And
then of course, there were all the jobs that paid my way through college,
waitressing, bar work, factory picking…
Why art?
Because I can’t help it!! Everything logical in me, wanted
to get a nice stable 9-5 with a salary, but I can’t help but want to create!!
What memorable
responses have you had to your work?
There are many answers to that, I’ve had some pretty, well,
rude (!) ones, and some funny ones too.
But I like to make people take a second look, to question what they see,
and how I’ve created it.
Is the artistic life
lonely? What do you do to counteract it?
As I work part time, it’s actually quite nice when I have
long and solitary days in the studio to get lost in my work. But if I am
feeling the loneliness, I have a fab network of creative friends, even if I don’t
have time for a coffee and chat, I can usually tweet hello, and get some
contact that way!
What do you dislike
about the art world?
The pigeon holes: my work doesn’t fit neatly into boxes; it
is art and craft, traditional and contemporary, functional and non-functional. Etc.
Etc. Trying to define your work into tick boxes gets really boring after a
while!!
What do you dislike
about your work?
I love the results of working with glass, the textures, the
light qualities, but sometimes I find the processes I use for the glasswork a
bit tedious, I like the immediacy of the papers and waxes better.
I also wish I could be a bit more sustainable in my
practise, it’s something I strive for, but I don’t want to compromise the
outcome of the work.
What do you like about
your work?
I like that it is very different, people often comment on
how unique my combination of processes are! I like that I fuse traditional techniques
with contemporary outcomes.
What research to you
do?
All sorts, I love, love, love looking at other artists. I
could quite happily have an alternative career as a collector. But I also
research technical developments, first hand imagery. It varies depending on the
need.
What is your dream
project?
I would love to do large scale commission work, fill big
interior spaces, and do more installations. I love to think big, despite the
small crochet hooks!!
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Thanks Anna! Find out more: www.anna-krystyna-casey.com
Novembers main exhibition is the author of this blog Ruth Gray Images artists interview coming up!
