We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Anna-Maie Southern . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Anna-Maie below.
Anna-Maie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
I was first introduced to fiber art at university, where I studied Textile Design. Although I had an amazing experience on my degree course, I never felt a connection with the textile design industry. I often felt uncomfortable with the ethics of the industry and my role in contributing towards a growing culture of materialism. I considered fiber and textile to be a powerful medium of self expression and historical cultural appreciation. Because of this I always veered towards projects that I felt had more meaningful goals. I have found this to be particularly the case at Intertwine Arts, an organisation that I am currently working at as a Teaching Artist. Intertwine Arts is based in NYC and is a non-profit that provides weaving classes to people who have a disability or chronic illness. I mostly work with adults with learning disabilities, but I have also taught classes to adults with visual impairments, kids with cancer, women who suffer from PTSD and mental health issues. I love being able to use my skills of weaving and teaching and put it to use in a way that feels fulfilling and meaningful to me every day. The students that I work with have all faced real hardships in their life, and if I can make their day / week / year a little better by providing this service, then that is the most meaningful project I could ever hope to work on.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I began my artistic practice in 2013 when I took a year long art foundation course – a pre-university qualification, that offers you a year to explore different artistic practices and develop a portfolio. The art foundation qualification is a wonderful course offered in the UK, and is a special opportunity to express yourself and develop and make mistakes with no repercussions. It was during this time that I discovered I was interested in fiber art, and began exploring its tactile nature and the role of fiber art in the visual arts world. From there I went on to study Textile Design at Central St Martins, UAL, London. The course was comprehensive and I gained extensive knowledge of the design process and the construction of textiles. I loved the creative environment of CSM and the curriculum, but I never felt drawn to being a textile Designer as a career.
I went on to pursue work that would integrate my love of weaving / fiber with my interest in art therapy, sustainability and fiber art. Which led me to work as a teaching artist, specialising in SAORI weaving – a school of weaving that originated in Japan and that focuses on weaving as a tool for mindfulness and self expression. I teach a variety of students of all ages and abilities, and particularly love teaching with Intertwine Arts, where I teach people who have a disability or chronic illness.
As a teaching artist working with differently abled people, a large part of my job is to find different ways to help my students express themselves in an accessible way. This might mean adaptive equipment, or working together with them to create a completely new method of mark making. I love that this pushes me to think outside the box and to look at the world through the eyes of someone with a completely different perspective than my own. It is super rewarding when a student of mind is struggling on a project and we work together to find a solution. I think a lot of people with disabilities are overlooked in society and not often given the opportunity to prove to themselves and those around them that they are not limited. I’m super proud of my students and love shining a light on their achievements whenever I have the opportunity.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
I think unfortunately too many artists/creatives don’t have access to a reasonable quality of living because they are underpaid and their work is undervalued. This is not helped by the corporations who are making cheap, unethical labor practices, stolen idea replicas who are setting the expectation of the cost of artwork at an unreasonably low rate. Artists can be supported by paying them a liveable wage, so they don’t need to have 2 / 3 jobs to survive, and can actually focus their time and energy on their creative pursuits. Buy their artwork, sponsor them, buy tickets to their shows, pay for their intellectual property. Don’t support businesses that won’t offer artists these basic rights. I do also think that artists who want to be supported by society need to consider what they offer in return. All people should strive to use their talents and skills to make the world / society a better place, and that should alway be the goal.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.intertwinearts.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intertwinearts/?hl=en