Artists Interview Artists: Whitney Lynn

Whitney Lynn, a San Francisco-based artist, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Whitney responds to another artist's five questions (Lisa Stephenson from Grand Rapids, MI). In order to participate, Whitney had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random. If you're an artist and interested in participating, let me know.

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1. How important do you think it is for artists to know about art history, and why?

I think it's important for everyone - not just artists - to have a basic understanding of art history, so for people making art.. the importance is incalculable. Not just art history, but design history, architectural history, world history. How can a person be part of a culture, much less try to represent one, without a grasp on its foundation?

2. Where do you find your greatest inspiration for art?

I really like Ben Shahn's advise, "in college or out of college, read. And form opinions!" I think my best ideas spur from things I read and then deconstruct. Also, writing about work throughout the creation process helps me evaluate ideas and in turn create new ones. In general, I tend to shy away from words like 'inspiration' because I think art is more of an intellectual process that can be hampered by romantic notions. For me, art is more about discipline and creatively solving posed problems than it is about searching for metaphysical stimulation.

3. I've heard (I think one of my college art professors said) that all artists reference their childhood experiences within their art in some way, no matter what age they are at while making art. Do you think that your art could reflect your childhood experience/experiences at all? If so, how?

I believe everyones work reflects personal interests, which are in part developed through childhood, so yes, I suppose my work reflects my childhood experience. Although I generally stray from work that is overly intimate or from specific private experiences, I definitely acknowledge that the ideas I gravitate towards have somehow personally affected me and originate from past memories and experiential perception.

4. When did you first want to be an artist, or when did you first realize you were one?

I went to hear a David Reed talk a little over a year ago and he said when he's feeling modest he writes in 'painter' (as opposed to 'artist') as his occupation. And although he was joking, I really understand the inclination. Although I've been interested in art as long as I can remember, and definitely feel connected to the art world and art making, I still feel it's a little pretentious and unnecessary to claim that I'm an artist. I know that when I finish up my MFA I'll have my 'union card', but even then I sort of doubt that I'll feel inclined to make any new occupational proclamation.

5. Is there any artwork, artist, or art movement which you feel lacks value? If so, why? If not, why?

I think it's walking on shaky ground when you start place value systems on art. I have definite tastes and preferences, but I'm hesitant to make qualitative judgments. Every movement within the canon of art history helps propel the next generation forward and every outsider or street artist influences the visual culture surrounding us all.

Vintage 2003
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Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)

Comments

[James Leonard]

Aww... no web link for Whitney Lynn? These video stills look good. I'd like to see more. And HEAR the audio from these works.

Hey Whitney, if you're reading, drop me a line with a heads up as to where I can catch some of your work.

Cheers!
- j.

[...]

Whitney Lynn : www.wooloo.org/whitneylynn

[garrett jack]

Hey whit, Looks all is well and your back in the city. If your checking these i would love to catch up with you. send me a email, hope to here from you soon.

[garrett jack]

Hey whit, Looks all is well and your back in the city. If your checking these i would love to catch up with you. send me a email, hope to here from you soon.