In conversation with ceramic artist Jen Dwyer

Jen Dwyer is an artist from the great New York City in America and is known for her ceramic sculptures, socially engaging drawings and functional art objects. She sees her art as being Rococo-styled, executed through the wide range of pastel colors that she loves to use. She particularly enjoys challenging gender stereotypes through her artwork.

What strange times we're currently living in with the social distancing rules in place and everybody being stuck at home away from their friends and family. Because right now you should find the balance, surround yourself with positivity and perhaps discover new hobbies for yourself. Above all, it was important for us to create the possibility to give the neubau community a platform to come together when everyday life seems too stressful. In a small art series, three enchanting and uprising artists have taken the time to incorporate our new Côte du Soleil Collection into their work and created extraordinary pieces of art. The second artist we want you to get to know is Jen Dwyer.
In order to allow you guys to get to know Jen a bit more, we asked her a few of some of your top questions!

Jen Dwyer is an artist from the great New York City in America and is known for her ceramic sculptures, socially engaging drawings and functional art objects. She sees her art as being Rococo-styled, executed through the wide range of pastel colors that she loves to use. She particularly enjoys challenging gender stereotypes through her artwork.

neubau_Jen_Dwyer_Studio-Portrait

What are your tips on getting distracted during this strangely special time? What have you been doing while social distancing?

I think I can speak for a lot of people when I say that I have been binging on Netflix way more than I would usually do during this time! I've also been speaking to friends and loved ones on the phone every day, to try and maintain contact with the rest of the world. I've been meditating and working out from home, and I escape into the outdoors by doing some running.
In terms of art, I've been painting places that I want to go and visit when all of this is over. Doing so has given me a source of inspiration, allowing my mind to dream beyond the current situation that we're in and have something to look forward to when things return back to normal.

What is your biggest inspiration and has it changed since when you first started your art career?

For a little over a year now I've been continuously working on my Rococo, quasi functional sculptures which have been influenced and inspired by the current pop culture as well as having greek mythology references. I'm really interested in being able to create a playful, fantastical Utopia-like world. Something like Alice in Wonderland, but with a subtle yet threatening twist.

I want people who view them to feel a warm sense of ease as they walk up to them, through objects of protection that are infused within my sculptures.

In Greek mythology we see a lot of blaming and shaming of women, and so Rococo is the ultimate art form is escapism. It's an absolute faux utopia! I often think about what it would be like to live in a world where men and women are equal when engaging in my artwork.
This has been a regular inspiration throughout, and my research has always stemmed from self representation and agency. I don't want women to be seen as props or ornaments, but instead as active participants in their world with their own complicated narrative.

What is art for you and what would you recommend for someone who is new to art?

Honestly, art is everything for me.
What tips would you give to an art newbie to get started, and how would you recommend promoting art? Which channels do you use?
In my opinion, Instagram is definitely the best social media platform for artists. Instagram focuses on the visual aspect of art, where little narrative needs to be given.

My recommendations to a newbie would be to find other artists in your area, and do a studio visit to see how they started and what worked well for them. It's great to be able to work with, and learn from, other artists.

neubau_artist_Jen_Dwyer_portrait

Do you have tips on how to integrate sustainable pieces into your work?

One of the reasons I absolutely love to work with clay is because it is pretty sustainable. However I'm always thinking about other ways that I can be mindful in my practice, especially as there is a great throw away culture within art and a lot of waste comes from this.

If you had to choose 3 colors to paint with for the rest of your life, which would you choose and why?

Blue, pink and white. Subtle, delicate but powerful.

Which comments do you hear the most, when you tell people that you are an artist?

I actually don't tend to spend a lot of time with people outside of the New York art world so this is a tricky question!However the last party I went to, a girl said "you're an artist, wow, what does that mean?" I thought it was a great question and very endearing and even to this day I'm unsure on how I was meant to answer or what she even meant by it!

Would you rather have dinner with Bob Ross or Pablo Picasso?

Without a second thought, I'd choose Pablo Picasso hands down.

You can find Jen on Instagram: @jen_dwyer_

17 Jul 2020 · NEUBAU EYEWEAR
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