Ashley
to me, art has to be a necessary act. all of my paintings, I want to be some sort of working through a question, how do I empathize with the people who have hurt me most? how do I reckon with my own guilt? it is important for me to always implicate myself.
I feel like with collectors, I need to convince them if they buy my work, they’ll become a part of something they wouldn’t be a part of otherwise. a lot of people want to access it and support it to say they were part of this thing, they were part of whatever I’m trying to do.
now I officially live in Chinatown. I’m excited to be immersed in a neighborhood that’s so polar in comparison to the one I came from. people just stand in the sidewalk and don’t move out of your way, you have to step in the street, the ever-present smell of fish, and being immersed in a non-english speaking community.
I think galleries and businesses, when they move into areas like Chinatown, should really reach out a hand and try to serve the community, rather than just change it.
@ashleythompsonart/http://www.ashley-thompson-wmdi.squarespace.com/@conartistnyc