“I’ve learned that the only way to keep making is to keep making….stay with the process.”
Name
Jane Pryor
Profession
Artist
Website
Who are you? What do you do?
I make paintings and collaged work, moving into expanded painting. Improvisation, mutability, recursion. I borrow from my own work and the history of abstraction, and move it into a new space. I live in the countryside with my husband and dog, Gus. I work from a studio at home and in a shared space on a small industrial estate in Cambridge.
Where are you from?
I’m from London, currently living outside Cambridge
Your style in 3 words?
Improvised, abstract, colour
Your weakness? Your strength?
Procrastination / determination
What makes you different?
Different from what or who? Sorry to answer a question with another one, but I don’t think I can answer that.
When did you decide to become an artist?
I don’t think I ever made that conscious decision. At 40 I knew I had to study Fine Art to work out ideas I had in my head, after that I just kept making work. I still hesitate when people ask me what I do. I prefer to say I make paintings as it’s all about the making process.
What do you find most fascinating about the creative process?
That the creative process reveals its’ secrets to you over the years. I’ve learned that the only way to keep making is to keep making….stay with the process. The best work comes when you aren’t thinking consciously about it.
A few words about your favourite creation?
It’s always the next thing.
Someone else’s work that inspired or inspires you…
I recently discovered Sarah Sze’s work. Her show at Victoria Miro blew me away. It’s totally different to what I do, but I find it exciting and intriguing. I also saw Giorgio Griffa at Camden Arts Centre last year and loved the simplicity and lightness of the unstretched canvases.
A new project coming up or an idea you want to work on?
I’m moving my work into the area of expanded painting – and large sewn canvases. I’m excited to see where this leads me.
Finish the sentence „More important than my career is…“
family and health.
2019: Where are we going?
Personally, once the show is open in June I am going to the most beautiful place in the world – the West coast of Scotland.
When the going gets tough…
Stay with the process – it will get you through….
Your city’s favourite spots?
Brunch at Hot Numbers in Gwydir Street, Cambridge – best coffee and bacon sandwiches ever. The Ivy, Cambridge, for eggs benedict – you guessed it, brunch is my favourite meal of the day!
Put on your future vision glasses: What direction is our generation moving in, what will our world look like in 50 years?
Well, it will definitely be without me! I hope we address the problems the world has ecologically. I like to think that my children’s generation are less selfish that ours, and that gives me hope.
What would you do if you could change the World?
Make it more equal for everyone – so no one is hungry and everyone can support themselves and their family.
If the universe is everything and it’s expanding, what is it expanding into?
I just googled this – the universe has no edge, it’s just expanding. For someone who makes work that’s all about edges, that’s a terrifying idea…but I think maybe the answer lies in the fourth dimension somewhere.
Tell us about your future plans…
I’m excited about a joint show in June with my studio mate Miranda Boulton
Double Time at Arthouse1, Grange Road, SE1 3BH 7 – 29 June 2019
Last but not least: what is your favourite Song?
At the moment: Kathy’s Song, Simon and Garfunkel 1965
One last statement please: „Wood or stone, gold or art?“
The endurance of stone and the spirit of art.
Your #…?
#doubletime
