“Tower”
Briefly describe the work you do.
I’m interested in repurposing images, making commentaries about our world.
The work shown here are part of “Calendar for a new century, 365 Days” which is a panoramic landscape, a world-scape; The series refers to the Gregorian calendar, but its order becomes irregular. This calendar is not a seasonal progression; days cluster into months and move through the color spectrum. In each grouping imagery combines into visual constellations with recurrent images acting as refrains.
Each month/monthesque, is named for a common object. The days’ names are common actions. If one was to use this system in speech it would sound like…Paying the 2nd of Chair or Getting the 14th of Spoon.
Months:
1.Chair; 2.Plane; 3.TV; 4.Spoon; 5.Table; 6.Car; 7.Hall; 8.Heater; 9.Boat; 10.Refrigerator; 11.Pants; 12.Bed.
Days: Paying; Watching; Filling; Putting; Getting; Moving and Laying;
Materials:
It is important to me that I am not adding many more things to the world. Each page has existed in a book, I overlay and reconfigure them, very much as an editor might have done before me.
“Tower” detail
Tell us a little about your background and how that influences you as an artist.
The Pacific Northwest is very much a part of my makeup is an artist.
The concept of the “artist studio” has a broad range of meanings, especially in contemporary practice. The idea of the artist toiling away alone in a room may not necessarily reflect what many artists do from day to day anymore. Describe your studio practice and how it differs from (or is the same as) traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
I open the door to my studio and inevitably I feel excited and lucky. That being said; looking and thinking is as much a part of what I do as the studio time. However without the time in the studio, where things are processed, not much would come into being.
What unique roles do you see yourself as the artist playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
Earlier on my work was focused around an interior psychology, now I find myself looking outward.
“Calendar Boat”
When do you find is the best time of day to make art? Do you have time set aside every day, every week or do you just work whenever you can?
I work regularly but in sporadic outpourings. Once I start any time I can get in the studio is a good time to work, I like working all day and then going back and night.
How has your work changed in the last five years? How is it the same?
I hope it’s gotten better.
Are there people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers or even pop icons that have had an impact on the work you do?
I am inspired by anybody who’s really at the top of their game.
If you had an occupation outside of being an artist, what would that be and why?
I think I was born to make things. But I’ve always wanted to be a zoologist or botanist.
About
Rachel Hibbard’s thematically based work explores systems such as, the weather and consumer goods; currently she is investigating struggle as a force in the world using three-dimensional collage and photography. She has exhibited nationally in venues including The Chicago Cultural Center, the State of Illinois Gallery, the Betsy Rosenfield and Kline Galleries, the Detroit Building, Maryhill Museum, and the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art and Blue Sky, Center for Contemporary Photography.
Studio
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 