MEDIUM
A NEWSLETTER ABOUT ARTISTS AND THEIR processes No. 2 tamara johnson
Artist interviewed: Tamara Johnson “Water Hose, Live Strong”, 2015
What is your most important artist tool? I have a set of wax tools I purchased when I took my first sculpture class in Austin. One particular tool in the set has a small spoon shape on one end and a sharp stabby shape on the other. Somehow, that tool manages to stab its’ way into everything.
How has your practice evolved overtime? I make sure the idea/concept is the strongest part of the work; I use whatever materials are going to help support that. I try to not get hung up on any material process too much because material processes are not that interesting to me. I do love plaster because it has so many different personalities in the span of 20 minutes.
Editors note: Tamara Johnson defines her wax tools as the most important. Many sculptors have similar tools to manipulate their mediums with. Concepts are very strong in her work, so she needs good tools that will allow her to create her vision. I am not a sculptor, however I have created 3-dimensional works that have allowed me to appreciate Tamara’s thoughts. Ideas and concepts can sometimes be the most powerful “medium”.