We recently connected with Lex Hockey and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lex, thanks for joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I feel like I always knew this was the path I was meant to take. But my first memory of me knowing was when I was about 4 or 5 years old. I was watching cartoons with my dad while coloring and he asked me if I knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I remember very confidently saying that I wanted to be a “colorer.” And from that moment on I was always doing something artsy. From coloring pictures, to learning to sew, to taking disposable cameras with me everywhere. I just always needed to doing something art/craft related.
Lex, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Lex, but my artist name is Poisonous Culture. I am a multimedia artist with a focus in photography, abstract painting, and up-cycling clothing garments. My creativity started at a young age and over time I have learned to use my art as a form of therapy. I pull the inspiration for my work from life experiences and music.
As of right now my focus in photography is in live music and portraiture. I am also in the beginning of releasing my Fall/Winter 2023 art collection that is based around the subject of revenge and empowerment.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Honestly, what is driving my creative journey is self love. For a really long time I never thought I would make it as an artist. This was because I was filled with a lot of self hatred and had a toxic group of people who were in my life. After I started to rid myself from the negative people who were around me and focus on my healing journey, I realized that I needed to put myself first and follow my dreams of being an artist/creative.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
For a number of years I had worked a lot of different jobs that were very customer needs/wants focused. But as an artist that’s not how it really works.
I think the hardest lesson I had to learn was that I will never create art that is for everyone. I was so worried for the longest time about what others thought about my work that I was too afraid to create. But over time I have learned that I’m just not for everyone. And as long as I create pieces that I love and feel proud of at the end of the day that’s all that matters. And that I just need to find my specific audience for my work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poisonousculture.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poisonous.culture/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lex-hockey-649aa0235/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCq37pJ2ETsOtMODb1VFCnIg
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@poisonousculture
Image Credits