Marnie Erpestad - Photographer - Ae Featured Interview

“Iris”

Marnie Erpestad

Altered Esthetics Featured interview for

"Fear Itself"

October 6 - October 27, 2011

Reception: Friday 10-7-11 7-10pm

Artist Discussion: Saturday 10/15 1-3pm

Name: Marnie Erpestad
City/State: Minneapolis / Minnesota
Email: Marnie.Erpestad@gmail.com
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/Marnie_Erpestad

Bio~
I began taking photographs at the age of sixteen and continue to shoot primarily black and white, medium format film. I was intensely shy growing up; photography gave me the freedom to express myself without being hampered by words.

“Dance”

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I create portraits of household objects and of myself, often in slightly odd or unsettling contexts. Most of my work questions methods of self expression and the effects communication has on human relationships. I am currently building a series of images that explore what happens when human discourse breaks down.

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
I hope to create photographs that resonate with my audience by giving voice to shared emotions.

“Winter Bicycle”

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
I cannot think of any one piece of advice but I do attribute a large amount of my confidence and determination as an artist to the overwhelming support given to me by my family, friends, and the Minneapolis artistic community.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
Whenever I am struck with an idea for an image I shoot some film, but even when I am not inspired I still view my world as if I am looking through a camera. I am always taking photos even when they are not caught on film.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
I am inspired by many Minnesota artists, including

Jack Mader http://www.jackmader.com/

Wing Young Huie http://www.wingyounghuie.com/

Warren MacKenzie http://warrenmackenziepottery.com/

Guillermo Cuellar http://www.guillermopottery.com/

”Melt Your Heart Out”

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

I love to look for old and new art at Altered Esthetics http://www.alteredesthetics.com/

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts http://www.artsmia.org/

The Weisman Art Museum http://www.weisman.umn.edu/

The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden http://garden.walkerart.org/index.wac


Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

I like to check out opportunities and events on

http://www.mnartists.org/
http://mplsart.com/
http://www.springboardforthearts.org/

“Afraid of Your Touch”

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?

I will have a photograph, “Afraid of Your Touch” in Altered Esthetics' Fear Itself show during October 2011.

Reception 10/7/11

7-10pm.