Art & Life with Karen Gagich

Today we’d like to introduce you to Karen Gagich.

Karen, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Navigating my life through the labyrinth of learning art has comedy, tragedy, drama, hard work and mystery all playing themselves out simultaneously. I studied art, more specifically painting, drawing, and art history at S.I.U.E. (southern Illinois university at Edwardsville, Illinois which is only 7 miles from where I grew up in Granite City, Il. I received aB.F.A. degree.

This was a new program created during the time I was a student. I think there were 10 of us selected to participate and of course it has evolved since then (back in the mid to late seventies). We had a clash of conservatism and hippie culture but basically working side by side. I wasn’t a poster child in any regard/all the issues of the world at large played out on this smaller stage. I have to say, though I did manage to learn some fundamental skills to keep pushing forward, investigating and learning from mistakes. My art is my journey it is sometimes pure energy, other times it is a construct to give validity to my existence, my voice, my emotions.

This is a very intimate way to reveal what propels my soul connecting it to our universe. Does it get me into trouble? all the time. I find makeshift little niches to keep expressing this. One of the best/worst places was the Flatiron Arts building where I had a live/work studio for about 14 years the flatiron was just a building for many decades that got rented out to all kinds of creatives and crazies. Then came along the “around the coyote festival” which took advantage of many unused spaces and the flatiron by default became the center of all that activity the early days of artists becoming visible to the city was an awakening of sorts with so many of us realizing we were the lifeblood, backbone and important spirited folk who brought innovation, joy and excitement to Chicago.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I create projects every month but mostly paint Each piece has a figurative construct, this way it can encompass my personal narrative. The message is pretty much universal so those who are receptive to their own needs, wants, desires will be able to resonate with the images. Sometimes I put actual language in the compositions to prompt me and the viewer to be able to grasp the situation or relationship. I love to explore the use of art in rituals which could appear ridiculous to many but the humorous aspect is what becomes uplifting as in the hats I have made for new year’s celebrations as well as Halloween and Easter. I am not really interested in shock or spectacle but more of an integration of and function of any type of worn art garment or its accessories.

I have by now inspired many generations of art students and regular folk only to flex our inner spark and let it be known. There are layers to healing and therapies now actively engage many with art related programs. If you find your truth your emotion, your conversation reflected in my images and can then feel more comfortable in your skin I have succeeded.

Sometimes I will test myself and smash into some invisible barrier or boundary, I can draw realistically if I desire to do so but prefer inventing my own “language” of line, color and composition. Working with other artists hasn’t played out as well as I would want but still show up and contribute what I can. So basically, have been subjugated to using whatever materials I can afford>paper, canvas, walls, fabrics, cardboard, real oils or house paints, always showing up and letting the magic flow through me a work ethic, if you will. There is always something to discover and this will make the light bulb shine brighter if you just let it.

Do you think conditions are generally improving for artists? What more can cities and communities do to improve conditions for artists?
Conditions are better but way more competitive with the internet as I mention just a few of the web platforms I have joined. It is harder in a lot of ways too because some artists haven’t got the mettle to withstand the crowds, chaos of application processes (quality of images, workspace, or education and the whole division of racial discrimination). But, while I had an open studio it was the dialogue and presence that I gave or emanated that if you tap into your own sense of identity there will be strength and honor in believing in yourself. My working with hand painted tiles stemmed from an art teacher who had to use sleuth to unravel the process from when they had created gallery 37 downtown. Some artists are not generous I am the opposite of that. I also wanted what you could call regular people to know that owning art was not just for the rich. There is something off about festivals they should be made in order to attract all levels of artists It has become too reliant on what will sell. Artists would flock to the city’s festival sites if they didn’t have to worry about the fees, parking or where they could stay, so it narrows down the field of what you get to see. Halsted Market days didn’t have art until I entered the scene but was eventually made implausible by all the larger commercial booths. Buckton became oversaturated as well.

You do need big venues to break even or make a little profit but it can be overwhelming as an individual. It’s a complicated business to find a middle ground between worlds of circus and academia There are some small art communities being created but again many rules and regulations factor in making it not inclusive and generating an exclusive environment So some models will work short term but not be long term if landlords and commerce have to be involved. And I don’t have anyone putting together anything, I am not a factory or a brand.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
Right now I don’t have an official art studio where folks could drop in and see anything in progress.
I have created multiple web pages on art slant/Chicago. wix.com, weebly.com. a Facebook page, I have 12 artworks on permanent display at the Arts Letters Hall building at the Lincoln Park campus of DePaul University. There you can see work that evolved from having used throwaway materials to using fresh roofing paper (that is a long story and not enough room here to tell it) I used to do many art fairs but now can no longer afford the entry fees Ello.com is another art platform. I cannot create commercial platforms since I do not have any credit card accounts which again, limit collecting my work. I am also connected to the Brooklyn arts project again visibility but not commercial I wish I was more adept at applying for fellowships or grants but my writing skills do not push me into any noticeable stellar group. I have succeeded in a direct relationship with folks who are courageous to sift through all the shiny, loud, commercially funded, venues to discover me, a quiet power, a genuine light in the dark. so, supporting my work is a way to support your own spiritual path.

Contact Info:

• Website: karengagich.com/artslant/chicago
• Email: karen.lynn310@gmail.com
• Facebook: karengagichart
• Twitter: karen gagich

Image Credit:
All images and artwork is made by karen gagich

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