Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacza Lipinski.
Stacza, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
In grade school, I read lots of Ramona Quimby books. In one of them, if my memory is correct, Ramona is overcome with the urge to squeeze an entire new tube of toothpaste into the sink. Even though she knows she shouldn’t do it, she does it anyway. It is wasteful, it is unnecessary, but it satisfies an urge to get the goop that is contained in that perfect, smooth, shiny tube out into a chaotic mess in the sink. It is visceral, it is messy, it is bodily, it is a release.
When confronted with the decision of what art discipline to choose in college, even though I had interest in other things, I chose painting. Painting is additive, it is immediate, it is messy, it is a release. I wanted to spend the rest of my life squeezing things out of tubes.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I try so hard not to fall in love with the beautiful mark, the smooth gesture, the controlled spill with the sharp edge and sexy surface. I must kill the desire to leave it as it is. I have to let it go, destroy it, cut it up, layer it, paint over it, wipe it out, clean it up, cover it up, tidy it up. This is an internal, private universe, created by spontaneous marks and spills, pours and splats, and deliberate exact cuts to create expressive, visceral collages.
What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
A very wise friend once told me, “You can’t be three things at a time, only two.” I think she was right. You can try to be an artist, a parent, and have a day job, but one will always be underserved. There is no such thing as work-life-family balance, but you can tilt the scale when needed.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You can see my work in Squeeze, Stack, Spill at Blanc Gallery in Bronzeville with Chicago artists Suzanne Torres and Melissa Weber. Join us for the opening reception May 11, 6-9 or the closing reception on June 29, 6-9. Make an appointment to see the work any time in between.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.staczalipinski.com
- Email: staczalipinski@yahoo.com
- Instagram: @staczalipinski
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacza.lipinski
Image Credit:
All photographs taken by Erielle Bakkum Photography
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