We recently connected with Pandora Hobby and have shared our conversation below.
Pandora, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the most meaningful projects for me hasn’t been mine at all. Being invited to become a member at the Art Hives, and later helping foster a few art spaces like that is the most interesting and fulfilling work I do. Art Hives is an art-as-therapy initiative that is blossoming here in Montreal and around the world. Artists, art therapists, community workers, stakeholders, and participants all benefit from more creative spaces that are non-monetarily constrained and open to all. Prior to learning about Art Hives, I was invited to workshop my fibre techniques at craft fairs and galleries. Now I try to encourage all participants to share their expertise. While many people like a good demonstration, lots of folks see that everyone can take on the role of artist-expert, sharing their experiences with materials, tools, and other resources.
Pandora, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am primarily a fibre artist now with a practice that embraces crochet, weaving, embroidery, and felt. In the 1990s I worked recycling fashion items in a small workshop as the finisher. I began collecting offcuts and ran a side hustle making velvet pouches for a store that sold crystals. Fast forward to leaving the recycling job and showing some of my paintings at a group show, and becoming enamored with crochet. I made a number of craft items in crochet for a fundraising table and a patron said, ‘you could show these in the exhibition.’ The very next year I showed a 3/4 length fully hand-crocheted dress. Working with other artists, and learning how to run a group show helped expand my practice to my community. In 2012 I had a fibre duo show with a friend and then joined that community gallery. On my weekly studio day at the gallery, I started to host an Art Hive for the public. I would just put out a table of free art materials behind the studios, or in the gallery, if the space allowed.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I guess that the romanticism of the artist all alone painting their truth is dead for me. When I was young most of my boyfriends were in bands and I was hanging out in studios, wishing that kind of collaboration was part of my practice. I would much rather hang out and be creative together than hole up alone. Often it feels like it is so much fun it isn’t really serious work so I questioned the product too, but I got over that! I know that these spaces must be sought, sometimes invented from the ground up, but for someone like me, it was really worth it.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
I think my pivot is about health. When I was 24 years old I came back from a trip to Europe and was feeling different, with lots of pain. I just thought I was partying too hard. I went to the emergency sometime in the fall and the doctor there diagnosed me on the spot. This illness slowed me right down and had me re-evaluate. I probably was never going to go for a 9-5 kind of career, but I had to embrace a slower more engaged life. As someone who is not always on solid financial ground, it would be easy to get sucked into a fast-paced well-paying career. Instead, I found a part-time career that could support my aspirations for an art practice and support my family.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.panoramicfibreart.com/
- Instagram: panfibre
- Facebook: Pandora Hobby
- Other: Francophone virtual Art Hive https://www.facebook.com/Rendez-vous-Cr%C3%A9atifs-Virtuels-100555351674928 Art Hives network https://arthives.org/