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Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Lucien Shapiro
By Spraygraphic | January 21, 2009
Spraygraphic Interview with Lucien Shapiro
SG: Please tell us about yourself?
LS: Well My name is Lucien Shapiro. I have been pretty much bi-coastal the last few years living between NY and California. I have a BFA in sculpture and have been making art as far back as I can remember. I also make music in a group called PaperVehicle. Creation is most important to me and I must always be working on something new and building upon what I have begun.
SG: Where do you currently live and work?
LS: I am now in San Francisco and work freelance sculpting jobs, as well as construction and remodeling, with a bit of kitchen work in there.
SG: What mediums do you work with?
LS: Bones, resin, water based clay, oil based clay, rubber, metal, hair, polymer clay, sand, stones, acrylic paint, spray paint, ink, foam, fabric, wood, pretty much anything that can help me in finishing the piece.
SG: Describe your working process when creating a new work.
LS: Usually I just get a mental picture and start to build from this original idea. But lately I have been sketching the ideas first then I build the armature and start to build the clay or resin up to get the form. Then I sculpt the details, paint, then cloth or hair depending on the piece. Sometimes I sculpt the original piece, make a mold and cast the pieces and then hand paint those. Either way both processes take a good amount of time.
SG: What kind of things do you do when you get blocked or find it hard to create something?
LS: I usually never fall short of ideas the problem is keeping up with all of them. They swarm through my mind its hard to catch them all the time. As far as getting blocked I usually just step away from the piece for a bit. Years ago when I was conflicted with the piece I would just smash the piece or tear it down and start again. I guess I’m maturing
SG: Where are you currently finding your inspiration?
LS: Usually from friends and travel. But recently I have been studying more cultural arts and more archaic methods of producing clothes, and effects.
SG: Where has your work been seen?
LS: I have been in shows mainly in the Bay Area, San Francisco and LA. Also New York, Boston, Miami, Ohio, Portland, Houston, London, Berlin, Paris, and Taiwan.
SG: Where will it be seen next?
LS: Luggage Store Gallery in SF. I am also working towards my first solo show here in SF scheduled for this summer at Babylon Falling . But I am always opened to new venues and new places.
SG: What is your dream art assignment?
LS: My dream art assignment is something large perhaps an in home installation. Or something for public viewing the bigger it is the more impactful it can become
SG: What is your favorite color?
LS: Clear
SG: Who is your favorite artist? And Why?
LS: Deciding on one favorite artist is so hard but I will say one of the tops is Lee Bontecou. I respect her for many reason but one of the main ones is because she walked away from making a solid living off selling her art to concentrate on no deadlines, expanding her work, and raising a family. And now when you see her work in museums you can see it was all worth while to make herself happy in what she creates. Her skills are as infinite, as her materials.
SG: What book/magazine are you reading this week?
LS: Johnny got his gun by Dalton Trumbo
SG: Ever do a self portrait? Where is it now?
LS: Yes 6 years ago, I did a screen print series and it hangs in many friends homes.
SG: Where is your favorite place to hang out?
LS: I enjoy the woods, beach, or a bar.
SG: Any final words of advice?
Make art until you hate art and then make some more you will probably like it again.
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Topics: Artist Interviews, Sculpture Art, Sprayblog |
4 Responses to “Spraygraphic Interview with Artist Lucien Shapiro”
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January 22nd, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Lucien is the man… Interestingly creepy.
Where can we see/hear Papervehicle?
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:00 am
The last answer is hilarious and inspirational. Too funny Lucien.
March 30th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I usually never fall short of ideas the problem is keeping up with all of them. They swarm through my mind its hard to catch them all the time. As far as getting blocked I usually just step away from the piece for a bit.
April 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Luggage Store Gallery in SF. I am also working towards my first solo show here in SF scheduled for this summer at Babylon Falling . But I am always opened to new venues and new places.