Questions the artist Joe Fig asks other artist in interviews he uses to produce works of art, paintings and sculptures, of the artist in her or his studio. He has subsequently published in book form some of the interviews, taken from audio recordings, along with snapshots.
The first book, Inside the Painter’s Studio, was published in 2009 by Princeton Architectural Press and contains interviews with twenty-four painters based in and around New York City. The second book, Inside the Artist’s Studio, was published in 2015, also by Princeton Architectural Press and containing twenty-four interviews, however, this time by the media the artists work is expands beyond painting but the location remains the same.
Fig began this project in 2000 in conjunction with his MFA work at SVA. The intention was through studying the artistic process and the studio space, a mythically ‘sacred space’ to gain insight into ‘...the real, day-to-day practicalities of being an artist -how they live, work and support themselves’. (Fig, 2009. p.8)
The first book contains the questions from Fig’s questionnaire. The second book does not, although for the most part the questions themselves remained similar, if not necessarily the same due to the shift from painters to artists of a variety of media as well as changes due to insight of the possible meanings, functions and types of studio space in relation to the artist and the art made that Fig gained from the initial research with painters.
I began reading the second book first. This was not intentional. I’ve known the books were out there for a while, but I just happened to pick up and purchase the second. About three interviews in I ordered the first book, then, once it arrived I read it straight thru before returning to finish the final three interviews in the second book.
As I read the books I found many of the questions Fig asked the artists were questions I had begun asking myself about the work I did in relation to the space I made it. How does the studio, my studio, impact what I make, why I make what I make, and how I make it?
Before beginning this project I spent a lot of time thinking about how the space could accommodate the personas and their work. Could it? I’ve seriously considered, looked at, secondary work spaces. However, nothing feasible has manifested itself to date. In early February I ‘cleaned’ and slightly reconfigured half of the space I current work in (the basement side) to make room for the work Franz and Petra were beginning to do. Part of this cleaning and reconfiguring involved a neutralizing of the space, stripping it of parts of me that could interfere with the work of the others. In a way it was like cleaning off shelves in the kitchen, frig, bath and making space in the closet and drawers for a new roommate. We’ve been working together in this space for almost two months and although work is being done, I still am not sure if it is the right configuration, or if the relationships will blossom or be put to the test here. I am keeping my eyes and ears open should additional space become available and affordable.
Here are the question’s Fig asked the painters he interviewed in the first book. (Fig, 2009. P. 10-11)
The Painter’s Studio: An Artist’s Questionnaire
When did you consider yourself a professional artist, and when were you able to dedicate yourself full-time to that pursuit?
How long have you been in this studio?
Did you have a plan for the layout of your studio or did it develop organically?
Has the studio location influenced your work?
Please describe a typical day, being as specific as possible. For example: What time do you get up? When do you come to the studio? Do you have specific clothing you change into?
Do you listen to music, the radio, or TV when you work? If so what, and does it affect your work?
What kind of paints do you use?
How long have you had your painting table, and how did you decide how to set it up?
Do you have any special devices or tools that are unique to your creative process?
Are there specific items here that have significant meaning to you?
Do you work on one project at a time or several?
When you are contemplating you work, where and how do you sit or stand?
How often do you clean your studio, and does it affect your work?
How do you come up with titles?
Do you have assistants?
Did you ever work for another artist, and if so, did that have any effect on the way you work?
Do you have a motto or creed that as an artist you live by?
What advice would you give a young artist that is just starting out?