Sonya Yong James and Vivian Liddell in the Brainfuzz Podcasting Space, Temporary Art Center, Atlanta, GA
Peachy Keen met up with artist Sonya Yong James on the occasion of her massive installation “Phantom Threads” as part of the PROJECT exhibition curated by Scott Ingram at the Temporary Art Center in Atlanta. (Thanks to our podcasting friends from Brainfuzz Podcast for lending us the use of their swank dedicated podcasting room on site!)
We talked about our shared position as women/artists growing up in the 1970s/80s (shoulder pads did come up), her formative years in Stone Mountain, Georgia, and how she’s navigated labels as they pertain both to her art and her identity.
She explains how the Gwisin of Korean folklore are related to her PROJECT piece, her path to working with such diverse materials as bedsheets and horsehair after having been initially trained as a printmaker, and gives us the lowdown on managing a thriving studio practice that involves everything from supervising assistants to fear-free scissor lift operation.
Sonya Yong James with her work “Phantom Threads.” PROJECT, Temporary Art Center, Atlanta.
Detail of Sonya Yong James’ Phantom Threads. PROJECT, Temporary Art Center, Atlanta.
Related Links:
Sonya Yong James, Temporary Art Center, Brainfuzz Podcast, Veronica Kessenich & Sonya Yong James with Lois Reitzes on WABE’s City Lights, Kirstin Mitchell at MOCA GA, Zuckerman Museum, Whitespace Gallery, Artadia, Sanford Biggers, Kevin Beasley, Anne Hamilton, Atlanta Contemporary, Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
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