#sparkchamber 091823 — Joshua Archer
September is sweater weather with a back-to-school vibe, and today’s #sparkchamber guest has all that covered — and more. We welcome artist, Joshua Archer, a fibers student at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. Fibers is a broad major covering multiple disciplines, fitting for Joshua as he creates in many forms including painting, drawing, sculpture, paper art, interiors, and yes, sweaters. “I have always believed an artist shouldn’t be subject to working in one specific media, but rather letting their vision determine the process and materials to best execute the idea.”
One of his favorite pieces so far is “A Sunday Afternoon on the Sweater of La Grande Jatte,” recreating Georges Seurat’s pointillist masterpiece “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” using reclaimed garments and embroidery floss. A “love letter to the classic painting and stunning musical,” Joshua hand-embroidered appliques of the figures, then applied them to the garment he pieced from three separate crew necks.
In addition to the projects themselves, Joshua finds enjoyment in documenting the process, and sharing any tips he has discovered along the way on TikTok and Instagram. “A good part of my content surrounds interior decorating and helping others find ways to make their rooms, dorms, spaces, or wherever they call home a bit more refined and personal.” Perfect timing for this back-to-school time of year. Get some Joshua Archer of your own at his Etsy Shop.
1.] Where do ideas come from?
Just about everywhere. I constantly find myself taking pictures of books, trees, corners, etc. if they inspire me. I find the things I document most relate to some aspect of my life or feeling that I want to conjure up and emulate in my own work. Maybe it’s a specific era, visual movement, or something that relates to my past. I find the great ideas surface only if there is a piece of you embedded in them.
2.] What is the itch you are scratching?
Once I have my idea, vision, or feeling I desperately want to capture, I won’t stop thinking about it until I act on it. I have to tackle the idea till it comes to fruition, or else it will continue to bother me. The ideas that don't bother me after a week are usually the ones that aren't meant to happen, and that is okay as well. There is only so much time in a day, so I would much rather funnel it toward the ideas I care about the most and result in a greater outcome.
3.] Early bird or night owl? Tortoise or hare?
When I begin a project, if I am REALLY itching to bring it to life, [and have the time] I will work on it day and night until it’s complete. There’s a certain adrenaline that comes with a great project, and little milestones happen along the way that outweigh the difficult parts and keep you going. It’s the moments when you step back and see it come together, or when the pieces you doubted would fit join seamlessly, that bring you right back to work.
4.] How do you know when you are done?
If I can fall asleep at night without wondering what I should add or change next, I’m set.
