French-American multi-disciplinary artist studying a BFA degree at Parsons school of Design in Fine Arts and acquiring a minor in Museum and Curatorial Studies.

Who and/or what are some of your inspirations? 

Most of my inspiration develops through my current interest. For instance, the context of my work is continuously shifting depending on what is going on in my current life, what certain questions I am asking, what I am learning in University and what I am seeing in the art world. I have drawn inspiration in the past from scholarly essays from authors such as Clement Greenberg, Miwok Kwon, and, Michel Foucault. I believe that keeping currently in touch with the art world is vital to a growing practice, seeing shows and exhibitions from a variety of platforms (such as the institutional, commercial or a non-profit). However, most recently I’ve been studying works from the great female artist like Louise Bourgeois and Eve Hesse, specifically their use of material choice as a method for conveying meaning. 

What is something you have learned, as a growing artist, that would be helpful to aspiring artists?

Not to get caught up thinking that every artist needs a  specific “style”, especially during school. Also, to not be self-restricting, following your urges. I believe it is important as a growing artist to be versatile, to experiment in all mediums and most importantly to challenge yourself. The feedback I’ve received and would give to anyone is to stay involved in the art world, either going to shows or reading on it. Try to create every day, even if it is just a small drawing/sketch. A phrase that artist John Jerard once told me that forever stuck to my practice is “to assume nothing, question everything, and don't limit yourself". And finally, to accept failure at any form, and to not lose determination when something doesn't work out the way you planned.

Share some of the challenges you face as an artist.

The most challenging thing for me at the moment is gaining the confidence to allow myself to end an exploration or continuation of a body of work to try a new piece that is far from the last either in context or medium. Ultimately resisting self-doubt to try new things by moving out of your normative discipline. 

If you weren’t creating art, what would you be doing? 

I strongly feel that I can't detach myself from art. If not making art, I would probably still be involved in the art world through a different lens. Either pursuing a career as a curator, gallerist, art dealer or collector or even as an academic professor.  

Tell me a (fun) fact about your most recent work:

A fun fact about my most recent body of work, specially the plaster casting of body parts (Discontinuity, Fetish, & , Lady of The Night) that people don't really know which I do find personally funny, is that all the molds are cast from different friend’s body part, where each part belongs to a different friend, to which I then assemble to make a work that consists of a blend of my friends. There is a lot of feet in this body of work, thinking back to why, there is something about the foot as a equipment for movement that I found was intriguing. Where the foot can be viewed when recontextualized as uncannily human, animalistic, fetishized or even repulsed.  

What is a typical day like, for you, in New York?

On my free time, a typical day in New York is going to a show or going to the park with friends, where I often either catch up on my reading or drawing. 

What’s your side hustle?

On the side, I’ve been assisting artist Helene Aylon for about two years now year round. But in the past two summers, I have been working at Jerard Studio in Red Hook, Bk, making props for Broadway shows such as Hamilton and Beetle Juice. 

List some goals for this upcoming summer and/or near future.

Some of my goals for the near summer to make four large 2D works as well as to read four books before the school semester begins. Also, a goal of mine at the moment is to finish collaborating on a collection with Janky Vintage, where I am painting on handpicked authentic vintage bags. A few goals I intended on accomplishing in the upcoming future is to organize and participate in a group show and hopefully enroll in a residency upon graduating.

ADRIANA'S WEBSITE

 EDITOR SHO ISHIKURA

INTERVIEW BY EU JIN LEE

COPY WRITED BY LISA RUMBALSKI

PHOTOGRAPHER: RYAN KYUNGROC KIM