Artist of the Week

Olivia Locher

May 20, 2013

Olivia Locher was born 22 years ago in the woods of Johnstown, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Manhattan. She received her BFA in Photography in 2013 from the School of Visual Arts. Olivia’s art is grounded in dreamlands and consciousness, while Olivia herself is generally dreaming. She breathes carefully and dances very rarely.

 

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Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. My name is Olivia Locher and I was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania twenty-two years ago. For the past four years I have been living and working in New York City. I make photographs.

 

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How did your interest in art begin? I started making photographs when I was seventeen years old, I began by photographing people I found interesting. A year later I decided to go to art school to study the medium.

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What kinds of things are influencing your work right now? The pop art movement, experimental films, stock photography.
What materials do you use in your work and what is your process like? I primarily make photographs but I also build sculpture and paint. All of my individual photos start from a single idea, and once I have it, I let it dictate everything. I also put things into motion very quickly.
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How has living in New York affected your art practice? Living in NYC has been ideal for my studio practice. Everything you could possibly need is practically right at your finger tips, not much of an effort needs to be made for getting supplies and materials. I created a home studio because I’ve found not having separation from work and home to be extremely fruitful for my process.

 

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What artists are you interested in right now? Kenneth Anger, John Baldessari, Matthew Barney, Wolfgang TIllmans, Asger Carlsen.

What do you do when you’re not working on art? I read and drink too much coffee.

What are your plans for the next year? I am about to graduate from SVA with a BFA in Photography so I am about to learn what not being a student feels like. Although, I’d like to develop my portfolio so I can apply to grad schools to become a student again.

 

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Favorite music? Arthur Russell and Harry Nilsson.

What were you like in high school? I was extremely shy and socially awkward, I sort of lived in my own imaginary dreamland. I was home schooled so I sort of missed the typical high school experience that I hear so much about.