Artist-Mother: Abby Kasonik
9 questions on art making and motherhood
Abby Kasonik’s patterned sculptural forms are an exercise in visual aerobics that embody an exacting ambiguity, equally bizarre and alluring. I learned of Abby’s whimsical worlds explored in both sculpture and paint through Kiki Slaughter, also featured in my artist-mother interview series earlier this year. Abby’s work demands and holds the viewers gaze while questioning figurative anatomy as her concave and convex contortions expand the viewers imagination. As stated in a recent exhibition announcement…
Each sculpture is named for a purpose that Kasonik believes reflects its anatomy. They have different qualities, personalities, and abilities. The idea is that the viewer gets to choose one to be your guide and to explore with, rather than just looking. They’re your mask, your costume, your avatar…
Abby’s imaginations, alive in rhythm and gesture, push the boundaries between animate and inanimate forms. And her paintings are equally enthralling! It is an absolute joy to share Abby’s work and words with you here.
9 questions on art making and motherhood
1 In a sentence or two define your art practice.
I’m a multidisciplinary artist focusing on sculpture and functional design. Currently exploring the camouflaging effect of pattern over three dimensional form.
2 How do you carve out time for your art practice alongside motherly obligations?
I am strict with myself on this front. After school drop off, it’s straight to the studio and I ’m there until 3:30 p.m.
3 What project or body of work are you currently developing?
I just finished putting together a group of sculptures for a show with painter Sarah Boyts Yoder. The sculpture is meant to serve as an avatar to adopt and use to explore Sarah’s painted environments.
I have a couple of functional design commissions that I’m working on… but something that I keep going back to mentally is an idea of representing the zodiac in sculptural bodies. I’m not sure how that will develop, but it’s simmering.
4 Describe your studio space and working environment: location, ambient sounds, etc.
Well right now I can hear birds, late summer crickets and my dog snoring. My studio sits at the back of a field on the site of an old barn. It’s a big simple, white structure with large windows and a loft. Beside it there is an old concrete silo that I’ve modified to house the kiln. It has french-blue doors and windows and a potted wisteria arching over the door.
5 Where are you currently finding inspiration?
Most of the time inspiration comes when I’m not looking for it. More often it’s when I’m passively appreciating the stripes on my bed sheets or a pattern of an old book cover. Someone’s outfit at the grocery store might spark an idea—but it’s almost never when I’m seeking it. Those visual attractions get layered with mental concepts, and other things that spark my interest, and eventually become part of a piece of work.
6 How has motherhood impacted the evolution of your vocation as an artist-mother?
Embodying creativity and achievement to my daughter is very motivating and rewarding. I appreciate being able to represent what being your own boss looks like, especially as a woman, showing her that you can make your own way in the world, and that the arts are not side dishes to the more important pursuits of life.
7 What female artists do you find intriguing and important to reference in your own work?
I have never had art heroes - but as I continue down the road of sculpture I’m discovering lots of artist both current and classic whose work is inspiring. Niki de Saint Phalle, Francisca DeMattio, and Shari Mendelson are a few.
8 Future dream project, collaboration or exhibition?
Actually, I just realized a dream of showing with my friend Sarah Boyts Yoder. Her work is very colorful and energetic and I had been wanting to see my black and white sculpture with her paintings together for a long time… and just recently that came to be.
I also got to experience the thrill of having my work in a museum! The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art has included a piece of my sculpture in their Made in VA Biennial exhibition.
So… I need to work on some new dreams!!
9 Final thoughts on being an artist-mother, anything more you would like to share?
Sometimes being an artist/parent is hard. The schedules and sicknesses and all of life sometimes feels like it’s conspiring to keep you from getting to your studio. But actually those frustrations and heart breaks are the details of life that let you speak and create with a depth of character. I think all that stuff makes your art and life richer in the end.
Connect with Abby: abbykasonik.com + abbykasonik@gmail.com
