We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Aubrey Ingmar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Aubrey below.

Aubrey , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In my artistic practice, I utilize satire as a driving force within my installations to shed light on contemporary political issues. Recently, I had the privilege of having a solo art exhibition at Belong Gallery in Chicago, aptly titled “The Billionaires.” This exhibition allowed me to integrate an array of diverse mediums, which included an iOS augmented reality app, ceramic dioramas, digital prints, large-scale wall drawings, and even a coloring book. It marked a significant milestone for me as it featured an augmented reality display, enabling my digital sculptures to inhabit the physical gallery space.

Delving deeper into the concept of “The Billionaires”… Drawing inspiration from the playful spirit of political cartoons, I crafted a childlike caricature to personify the archetypal billionaire figure that the viewer follows throughout the installation. From their insatiable materialism to their space race endeavors, and even a metaphorical indulgence in cannibalistic pursuits, this caricature offered a satirical lens through which to view the excesses of the super wealthy. Throughout history, societies have wielded satire as a potent tool to challenge and undermine the powerful, from medieval puppetry to the modern realm of memes. This exhibition, in the same tradition, aimed to strip away the aura of invincibility that often shrouds the super elite.

Through this artistic endeavor, I aspired to provide a critique of the ultra-wealthy class, exposing their ability to influence and manipulate culture, information, technology, and even the foundations of democracy itself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I embody multiple roles as a creative individual: I am a visual artist, a political activist, and a devoted mother. Rather than keeping these aspects separate, I integrate them together into my work. My art installations are political, my sensibility towards what I create is generated through my experience as a mother, my care taking is done similarly to how I go about creating artwork. All of these facets of my life are profoundly meaningful to me, and I derive immense satisfaction from their coexistence.

By merging my artistic practice with my activism, I actively seek collaborations with fellow artists who share my political aspirations. I am a proud member of artist-led collectives such as “Anti-Capitalism for Artists” and “Artists for Democracy.” Additionally, I find immense value in forging connections with fellow artist-mothers, collaborating on curating exhibitions and fostering a sense of community. Having a supportive network of individuals who understand and champion each other’s artistic and political endeavors is an invaluable asset that enriches both my creative journey and my commitment to effecting positive change.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Society can best support artists by affording them the essential resources of space, time, and financial support to create art that is outside of what is valued by the art market. I think many artists are hindered in their creativity by creating work that caters to commercial demand, viewed merely as an investment or commodity. This focus on profitability can eclipse the profound intrinsic value that art and culture bring to both the artistic individual and the broader community—which is not measurable in terms of monetary value.

Trying to fit the concept of creativity and artistic practice into the confines of a capitalist framework is a situation that can feel like forcing a square peg into a round hole. However, recognizing that this is the system within which artists operate, we must endeavor to support and navigate it in ways that align with our artistic ideals.

I don’t have the perfect answer for this solution, but sustaining artists’ livelihoods parallels providing a public service to the community, akin to maintaining a park or library. I also strongly believe in a universal income strategy to support creatives.
Art shouldn’t be perversely skewed to solely gain investment value and deepen the pockets of the wealthy. Instead, we must champion a more equitable environment that recognizes the invaluable cultural contributions creative people make, preserving their ability to create work that enriches our lives and the social fabric.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Motherhood has been a profound catalyst, reshaping, challenging, and enriching my creative journey. It has endowed me with newfound purpose and clarity regarding the art I create and the allocation of my time. My child occupies a significant part of my mind these days, their presence serving as a constant source of enlightenment, offering lessons about both my own identity and generally about existence.

In parallel, my aspirations extend beyond the personal realm. Through my artistic and activist endeavors, I am driven to contribute to the transformation of society, raising awareness on the inequalities and environmental damage wrought by profit-driven capitalist frameworks. I am committed in my artistic practice to creating a more promising future where artists are empowered and societal prospects are brighter for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aubreyingmar.com
• Instagram: @aubrey_ingmar

Image Credits
Aubrey Ingmar, Joey Berrios, and Kittisak Wa Chontong