By: burgundy bug
Curiousity and Family by Teri Anderson
Source: Teri Anderson
Teri Anderson is an artist who blends various mediums to expand her own perspective, as well as her audiences’, through her multidimensional, abstract, and geometric depictions.
Recently, we spoke to Anderson via email to learn more about her work as well as her background as an artist.
Teri Anderson
Your art is a versatile blend of textiles and abstract traditional art. Could you tell us a bit about your work?
My work looks at drawing in the expanded field, which I feel looks at sketching in space and how mediums can correspond with that.
It’s trying to cross the boundary of what is considered Fine Art and craft
Teri Anderson
What is your favorite medium to work with?
That’s hard. I would say sewing, mainly because it’s very relaxing and therapeutic. It’s like automatic drawing with thread.
I also feel a huge connection with sewing as my grandparents were in the garment trade
How did you get into art and design?
I started drawing from a very young age; my parents always say they would find me drawing first thing in the morning.
I was always surrounded by craft materials, as there were large sewing tins around my house that belonged to my grandparents, but it wasn’t until I did my art foundation that I believed I could show my work in exhibitions and hopefully make a living from it.
Who are some of your biggest artistic inspirations?
My favorite artist is Alberto Burri, an artist who can make work out of anything and using mediums that are cheap.
Eva Hesse, for also building a practice out of unorthodox materials and making her way in a male-dominated world.
Finally, Wassily Kandinsky, because of his purity within composition.
About how long does it take you to complete a piece?
It depends. If I’m drawing, I can finish a small piece in around 10 minutes (if it’s simple), larger pieces have taken me a few hours.
If it’s a sewn or sculptural piece, I would say up to a month, because they are usually part of an installation.
Could you give us a fun fact about your artwork that our readers may not know?
I hate framing my work as I find it hard to find the right frame to compliment the piece. I am also slightly obsessed with triangles as they can encompass so much.
What do you find most rewarding about being an artist?
To make work that makes people see and think in a different way. The quote I find most supports this is, “Artists use lies to tell the truth,” (Alan Moore).
What keeps you motivated when you’re stuck on a piece? How do you push through art blocks?
I usually go away from the piece, do a little reading and sewing on something else, so that I can think what I am hoping to convey.
You have to make mistakes to know where to go next.
Teri Anderson
What are some of the biggest improvements you’ve noticed in your art over the last few months or years?
I think the diverse use of materials has been a major positive, it means that I can go back and try things in new materials and have a further expanded practice.
The use of abstraction has become a mainstay of my practice, as I feel I can convey more through shapes than realism.
What are some of your goals and aspirations as an artist?
I would love to have my work shown in the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy and to make a living as an artist.
It would also be nice to be remembered, but that is a hard thing to accomplish in the art world.
How do you hope to impact your audience through your artwork?
I hope they feel the need to experience materials in all forms, as in a world where manufacturing plays a huge part.
Art can be anything or anywhere.
Teri Anderson
Do you have any additional comments or final thoughts to share?
If you like an artist’s work and can afford it please buy it, as behind it there is an artist struggling to afford to make their next piece.
Head on over to Teri Anderson’s website, Facebook, and Instagram to keep up with her latest work!
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