1. What is your first art related childhood memory?
Making a vase from a skinny glass jar by covering it with torn pieces of masking tape and then staining it with shoe polish. I remember being amazed at how the stain transformed the drab tape to appear to be worn leather. Next, I made flowers using tissue paper and pipe cleaners. Quite a nice gift from a second grader to her mom!
2. As an artist, who is your biggest influence?
I have had amazing mentors along the way. This seems like the moment to thank: Martin Meersman, Chris Walla, Andrea Stanislav, Chris Larson, Jan Estep, Chris Bauemler, and Siah Armajani. Each person has had a significant impact on my development as an artist.
3. What did you listen to in the studio while creating this show?
The Ting Tings, Adele, Rilo Kiley, Regina Spektor, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, and The Current (89.3)
4. Name three unexpected items one would find in your studio.
a claw foot bathtub
karaoke machine
a prosthetic limb device which gives me an additional four arms
5. What is your least favorite famous work of art?
This is a tough question. But, I have always disliked Kiki Smith’s “Tale” from 1992. The piece is a nude female figure on hands and knees with (approximately) a 100-inch tail of excrement coming from the anus. Until I saw her show “Kiki Smith: A Gathering, 1980-2005” at the Walker, I had pretty much written her off as an artist I would never relate too. Seeing the works firsthand versus in the pages of books was an eye opening experience. In fact, I purchased the exhibition book. My favorite piece by Kiki is “Lilith” from 1994. It is a bronze female figure crouching upside-down on a wall confronting the viewer with piercing glass eyes. This piece has had a lasting impression on me and inspired using human glass eyes in my animal sculptures.
6. What art do you have hanging on your walls?
Interestingly enough, most our artwork is sculpture made by friends who are emerging artists! Wall works include: miniature room shadowboxes made by Sarah Baker, soft sculptures by Rebekah Champ, a glass blown bunny with light blue pigment kiss prints by David Fox, and a few paintings by Bart Vargas. Our living room also has an iceberg sculpture by Laura Primozic, two Jasmine Wallace ceramic sculptures, a bronze bird made by Fawzia Khan, and female bust by my husband Derek Gunderson. All, but Fox and Gunderson, attended the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
7. What are you working on now?
I am applying to galleries for the 2012 exhibition season. Applications have been submitted to spaces in Chicago, IL; Richmond, VA; Cincinnati, OH; South Bend, IN; and Cazenovia, NY.
I am also writing a proposal for a group show at the MAEP gallery at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Several emerging artists in Minneapolis are using animal imagery, so I contacted a strong diverse group. If selected, the show will feature photography, ceramics, drawing, and sculpture.
8. What will the title of your retrospective at MOMA be?
Hmm, what a wonderful thought! Titles take me weeks to figure out, so I will have to refrain for the sake of finishing this interview.
Thanks Jessica!
Be sure to stop by SooVAC to see Jessica's work in person, We Are Animal, up through May 22nd.
To learn more about Jessica Teckemeyer visit HERE.
