|
|
Sara J. Winston is a New York-based artist who uses photography, writing, and the book form to describe and respond to chronic illness and its impact on the body, mind, and nervous system. Winston is the author of four photobooks, among them A Lick and a Promise published by Candor Arts in 2017 and Homesick published by Zatara Press in 2015. Her work is held in public collections internationally, including the Center for Creative Photography in Tucson, Arizona, the Tate Library and Archive in London, and the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. Sara received a MFA in Photography from Columbia College Chicago in 2014.
Published on April 19th, 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
A lot of plans did not work out in 2020. I had planned to travel to France for professional mentorship; to attend a residency in Berlin; to leave my day job and move to Europe. Those things have all been delayed if not canceled. This year has required a lot of flexibility and compromise. We moved in with my parents in March. About every two weeks we thought we might soon be able to make our move abroad, looking at different strategies and angles without any certainty of the future of the economy or of the state of international contagion. During this time I turned the camera on myself and my family and made portraits throughout four and half months of quarantine, looking most closely at three generations of women in my family: my mother, my daughter, and myself.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
My practice has changed so much this year but it is too soon to dissect or appraise the impact.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I am very fortunate to have the support of my partner. He has been a keystone in these tumultuous times and remains an active participant and advocate of my work. Since April 2020 the critique group that I’m part of, that previously met in person monthly, has made the bold and important pivot to meet virtually every two weeks. The kinship and ongoing dialog and commitment to pictures has been a comfort and a delight. I am honored and so fortunate to be a part of this group.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
I haven’t given myself many breaks or taken a moment to grieve. I try to photograph or write everyday, and give myself as much time away from the computer and the internet as I can manage. Instagram has been destructive to me emotionally during this time. I would recommend others limit their screen time, limit their social media time, and drink a lot of water.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I am still learning.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
A lot of plans did not work out in 2020. I had planned to travel to France for professional mentorship; to attend a residency in Berlin; to leave my day job and move to Europe. Those things have all been delayed if not canceled. This year has required a lot of flexibility and compromise. We moved in with my parents in March. About every two weeks we thought we might soon be able to make our move abroad, looking at different strategies and angles without any certainty of the future of the economy or of the state of international contagion. During this time I turned the camera on myself and my family and made portraits throughout four and half months of quarantine, looking most closely at three generations of women in my family: my mother, my daughter, and myself.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
My practice has changed so much this year but it is too soon to dissect or appraise the impact.
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I am very fortunate to have the support of my partner. He has been a keystone in these tumultuous times and remains an active participant and advocate of my work. Since April 2020 the critique group that I’m part of, that previously met in person monthly, has made the bold and important pivot to meet virtually every two weeks. The kinship and ongoing dialog and commitment to pictures has been a comfort and a delight. I am honored and so fortunate to be a part of this group.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
I haven’t given myself many breaks or taken a moment to grieve. I try to photograph or write everyday, and give myself as much time away from the computer and the internet as I can manage. Instagram has been destructive to me emotionally during this time. I would recommend others limit their screen time, limit their social media time, and drink a lot of water.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I am still learning.
Find Sara J. Winston on Instagram
