Story & Lesson Highlights with GiGi Bennett

We recently had the chance to connect with GiGi Bennett and have shared our conversation below.

Hi GiGi, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I find myself walking a path while granting myself permission to wander at any moment.

I think this is a really interesting and important question to reflect on as an artist. Being in a field that does not present a very clear or linear path in terms of career success can often become disorienting and discouraging. Personally, I thrive in environments with some kind of structure in place, so constantly setting career and creative goals that I am steadily walking a path towards seems to work best for me. However, I have found that the best opportunities are often the least expected ones, so I allow myself to wander off my path when a surprising opportunity arises.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a multidisciplinary artist, animator and teacher living and working in New Jersey. I received my BFA in Animation & Motion Media from Lesley University College of Art & Design in 2019 where I developed my practice in mixed media film and animation. In 2023, I graduated with an MFA from Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts where I continued working in film while expanding into colored pencil drawing and sculpture. I continue to produce small scale colored pencil drawings, sculpture and mixed media film with a focus on the process of memory and modes of preserving memory. While keeping an active studio practice, I teach Intro to 3D Design at Stockton University and various workshops for the Noyes Museum’s “Access to Art” program.

Most recently, I have been working on a series of drawings that centers around the image of a locket. This “Locket Series” explores the function of this type of jewelry that is meant to preserve the memory of someone or something of the past, and gives the owner of said object the power to hold this special memory close to their heart.

I find the process of memory incredibly interesting and powerful. As humans, we put so much trust in our own memory as a source of accurate information, yet it is wildly flawed and influenced by countless factors including our own emotions and how we want to remember things. However flawed, our individual banks of memory are highly precious collectives that ultimately play a major role in who we are and how we define ourselves. This series of drawings intends to replicate the flawed, fragmented nature of memory while also honoring the love I hold for my own memories and my wish to keep them forever.

Each drawing begins with a still life set up constructed of various objects and photographs from my past. I pin these elements up on a cork board to make them appear as though they are just barely held together, emphasizing the delicate, fractured nature of memory. The focal point of each drawing is a round or heart shaped locket that takes precedence over the surrounding components that fade in and out of focus. The haziness present in the drawings alludes to the fact that the memories are fragile and finite.

While I produce these drawings, I am also working on a large scale paper maché heart shaped locket that is made of old love letters, greeting cards, and meaningful notes from my past. The sculpture, which contains 13 segmented compartments within, will serve as a set for a stop motion animation that explores similar ideas on memory. With the sound of a heartbeat to unite flashes of childhood memories alongside recent experiences, the heart will represent my close relationship to memory. I wish to show this film, the locket sculpture and the series of drawings all together when completed.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I think a lack of support breaks bonds between people more than anything else. Sometimes when loved ones are in situations that don’t serve them, it’s easy to constantly push and nag them to remove themselves from these toxic circumstances. Although this comes from a good place, it often lacks a level of understanding, love and support that these people are in desperate need of. I try to always remind my friends and family of the support they can find in me. Simple words of encouragement and reminders of unconditional love go a long way.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Above all else, I would tell my younger self to never compare herself to others. Whether it be her looks, her art, or her success, I would remind her that all of these things are supposed to look vastly different for everyone. I would encourage her to embrace it.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief you used to hold tightly but now think was naive or wrong?
I used to think the notion of selfishness was entirely bad. Now I realize society as a whole puts the act of being selfish in such a negative light that often people are afraid to prioritize their own needs and well being. I am grateful that my generation has put an emphasis on the importance of self care, has made huge strides to destigmatize the prioritization of oneself, and has made known that kindness and empathy can exist at the same time.

I think this realization and acceptance has been essential to my artistic career because choosing to be an artist in some ways is a bit of a selfish act. Ultimately, I am doing this for myself because I deeply love and enjoy it.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace walking on the beach either by myself or with my dog, Mara, in the off-season when there aren’t many people around. The combination of the warm sun, the cool breeze, the vastness of the ocean, the sound of the waves and the simple rhythm of walking brings so much calm into my life.

I also think the sense of feeling small in a vast landscape helps to remind me that any worries that were filling my head prior are also small, although not insignificant, and will find a way to resolve themselves. At the same time, the utter strength of the ocean itself is empowering and transmissible. I always leave these walks feeling at peace yet powerful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gigibennettportfolio.com/
• Instagram: gigibennettart