Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Austin Pope. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Austin, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
I think one of the best ways to keep creativity alive is to be in a constant state of questioning. I’m always asking myself questions: about my existence, about the world around me, and how I interact in it. This is especially important when I’m considering my identity and moral views. It’s my curiosity that keeps me in a creative state of being.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Upon graduating High School, I enlisted in the military as a United States Army Ranger. After being deployed to both in Afghanistan and Iraq, I returned to Chicago at the end of my military term in 2005. My fondness for Chicago’s local art scene emerged in 2013 when I discovered artists run open mics and performance spaces. Soon after, I found a passion for photography. I decided to enroll in the MFA program at School of the Arts Institute in 2018. While attending SAIC, I began to explore my relationship to systemic social hierarchies and how they impact my experiences as both a veteran and an African American. I’ve recently relocated to Los Angeles in the hopes of expanding my practice.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I think one of the best ways to keep creativity alive is to be in a constant state of questioning. I’m always asking myself questions: about my existence, about the world around me, and how I interact in it. This is especially important when I’m considering my identity and moral views. It’s my curiosity that keeps me in a creative state of being.
I think that dedication, determination and research are three key elements when becoming an artist. When it comes to art, dedication is aligned with humility. You must be dedicated to your craft and the best way to do that is to be in a constant state of learning, which can be humbling. Determination is key because as an artist, you might not always feel like making art. You have to allow for these pauses but also be determined to finish out a project when your spirit is mood to do so. I also believe that a key element to art is research. It’s important to know the elements of your work and why a viewer should care about it. One of the best ways to do that is to conduct research. Not to say that research has to be present in your artistic presentation, but I do think it’s important to research your subject matter while making art.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
My most recent epiphany is that making art can be very discouraging at times. This is especially true when you’re hoping to receive an opportunity to show your work at an art space or institution only for them to say no. When that happens, I have to remind myself why I pursued art in the first place. Your work matters. Your narratives matter. I have to remind myself that I can’t compare my progression as an artist to my counterparts. Rather, I must stay committed to my own path.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.austinppope.com
- Instagram: @austinppope
Image Credits
Austin Pope
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