Interview with Issy Fowden

​

Do you have a favourite memory that influenced your art?

​

The thing that stands out to me is having recurring dreams as a child. One of them was that I was in the corner of my bedroom and I started to get really small, like an Alice in Wonderland type of thing. And so I think that kind of pulls out to me because I’ve been connected to the sense of being alone, being kind of invisible to the public and kind of having that fear, but also that desire to be alone.

​

Is that where you’re coming from with your piece the ‘Invisibility Cloak’? It really felt like I was in your jacket watching that video.

​

Haha, definitely. That was based off an experience I had where I felt judged in the public eye. I was embarrassed because I’d spilled coffee all over myself. I thought it was interesting to utilise the function of a garment to give the opposite effect of being personally watched and basically technology watching other people, like wearing the fear of the stain of coffee on me proudly.

​

Outside of art, do you have any other passions?

​

I have a lot of hobbies, usually to do with physical making. I have a lot of passion for music. Art can sometimes get me in a moment of being like, ah, gosh, it’s not going right. But music always gets me in a good mood.

​

Most useful lesson you’ve learned so far?

​

Probably lessons involving the human psyche, basically saying that nothing really matters, like what people think doesn’t matter. People are all different. Maybe just stoicism in general is probably the best lesson I’ve ever learned.

​

Why do you make art?

​

Basically because it’s self-soothing. I struggle with a lot of depression and anxiety so it makes me feel like I have more control over creating something, it’s kind of like creating your own little world. I find art is a really good way to kind of get involved in one’s own shadow and figure out what’s going on inside of you. So  when I’m creating art, the end result kind of makes sense to what I’m feeling even though I didn’t know what I was feeling in the moment.

​

Who and what does your art stand for?

​

I would say it’s a little selfish, but all about me usually. Probably mental disconnections, feeling a bit lost and disconnected in the world. I’d hoped people who have similar experiences could connect that way.

​

What mediums do you work in?

​

Currently, I’m really involved with ceramics but also do textiles and 2D work like drawing and painting. I also enjoy video work, I think that gives a way to connect with your audiences on a personal level almost because it’s more real. You’re bringing the artificiality of art into real life in a way.

​

Is transparency important in your art?

​

Yes, definitely, because it follows along with the whole aspect of creating visibility within the invisibles that I try to create as a motif in my work. So being transparent about my

emotions through my work is basically what my work is about. It also creates honesty and connection with the audience.

​

Do you have a favourite piece of work of yours?

​

The flesh face that I made at the end of last year. It’s a bit extravagant, and it’s got those pearls hanging from it. It was the first time I’ve ever done those weird melty flesh things. I was first making a vase that was cylindrical, then it started flopping. So I added these weird legs. Kind of

 experimenting as I was going. I found that I enjoyed that process more because I had no expectations.

​

Who do you look up to?

​

Probably my friends who are also artists. I really look up to Camille Ormandy because she’s doing so well and she’s getting recognised for it, which is really cool. Then other famous artists and looking at their life, seeing Keith Haring and Basquiat being friends with Andy Warhol, having that sense of community that I hope to achieve.

​

Have you got a personal brand?

​

I’m working on these little tooth necklaces at the moment. I hope to make more functional and usable ceramic pieces to sell, but that’s a future project.

 

If you weren’t doing this, where would you see yourself?

​

If I had the skills I would definitely be making music. I couldn’t live without anything creative. I’d probably be making weird psychedelic acoustic music.

​

Top 5 places you missed in lockdown?

​

1. KOT-J / Newtown
2. Golden Lotus / Newtown

3. Waterfall / Warriewood

4. Salvos / Tempe

5. The kilns / art school

​

Who do you think is the most exciting young and emerging creative in Sydney right now?

​

Joel Hedge

Performance Artist / Sculptor

@billieposters

​