Allison Fox is a 24-year-old photographer living in Jersey City. Last month, her show “Persona Non Grata” was the first show at the newly opened Residue Gallery in Jersey City.
Artistic pursuit: Still Life Photographer -- I would also like to teach photography to children.
Day job: I just graduated from school, so my job is looking for a job.
What's the worst or most interesting thing that's happened to you at work?
I've had a lot of jobs. Most of them were boring, office type work where I hoped they would need me in the photo studio, but usually didn't. Following Paul, "the Verizon guy", around all day in a small town in NJ was kind of strange. Other than that, getting electrocuted from incorrectly unplugging a power pack was not so much fun.
Does work ever conflict with your artistic pursuits?
I would say work definitely helps, by enabling me to buy photo equipment, make connections and gain life skills. Otherwise, I would most likely stay inside all day and never talk to anyone. Having less time to do things only motivates me to do more.
Do you have health insurance?
Yes, thankfully I'm still covered under my parents.
Who are the three people you'd most like to have see your work, in terms of helping your art career?
Any three people who would help my art career would be great, especially people who want to give me a lot of high paying freelance jobs.
If Wal-Mart approached you about using your photographs in an ad, for a large sum, would you do it?
Having integrity is most important to me, so of course it would depend on the context in which the photograph is being used, but most likely, yes I would. If you owed over $100 grand in student loans like I do, I'm sure you'd think about doing it too. However, if my photographs were to be used for, say, Playboy, or an ad for alcohol, I'd have to pass.
Any additional thoughts on the conflicts and intersections of work and art?
I am often pleasantly surprised by finding influence for my photography in the least likely of places, even work situations which don't seem to have anything to do with the art I am trying to make. If you love making art, you'll find a way to create. The only conflict I've stumbled upon that kept me from taking photographs is partying, which is one reason why I don't go out anymore. I find that creating art after a long hard day at work or on the weekends is most rewarding.
On the Web: Allison Fox
Day Job is a weekly column examining the contradictions, conflicts and convergence between “work” and “art.”
Comments