STUDIO MATES EXHIBITION INTERVIEW: PATRICIA FABRICANT
STUDIO MATE: AMY HILL (Amy Hill Interview)
PATRICIA FABRICANT
How did you meet your studio mate?
I think we initially met through Linda Griggs, and then Amy put me in an online show she curated called The Ex-Boyfriends/Ex-Girlfriends Show
How long have you shared a space?
5 and a half years
Have you shared a studio with anyone else?
Yes, I have always had studio mates. Until Amy they have all been men. I had an enormous space in LIC for about 10 years and had one roommate pretty much the whole time, and then a succession of others in the third space. The main guy was an amazing artist but he really kept to himself, we didn’t talk more than was necessary. But I had two other studio mates over the years who I did talk to regularly. We’d work into the evenings, maybe open a beer. I like that. The space was probably big enough for two or three more people but was so cheap we kept it to three.
How often do you work together in the space?
Two or three times a week I would say. Amy is more consistent than I am, my timing depends a bit on my “other” work.
Do you engage in regular dialogue about your work? About other art you see?
We talk pretty much the entire time. Amy is a combination mother confessor, gossip girl, art advisor, bff for me these days. There’s very little that’s off limits in terms of topics. We talk about art — both our own work and the shows we see, or want to see. The openings we went to, who we saw there. We give each other advice on love, friendship, family, work, food. We discuss what we’re watching on Netflix, books we’ve read, movies we’ve seen, politics. We gossip about our friends. I feel like in some ways she knows me better than anyone else right now.
6. Do you listen to music, talk radio, or silence? Together or on separate devices?
I listen to talk radio when I’m there alone but most of the time when we’re there together we talk instead of listening to the radio.
7. What is the best thing about sharing your studio with this person? What drives you crazy?
The best thing by far is the conversation. I spend a lot of time alone and it’s always great to get to the studio and catch up with Amy. I miss her when too many days go by. I also really value her advice on my work. I respect her ethic and commitment. Amy lives for her art more than nearly anyone else I know.
What drives me crazy? Dumb stuff like she likes the studio much warmer than I do. She has some weird eating habits that I’ve given up trying to reason with her about.