Tiffany Bozic [interview]

Interview conducted by: Duane Fernandez
For leftfieldproject.com featured designer / artist series

I know you are originally from Ohio, but where are you occupying space these days?
I live and work in Oakland, ca.
How did you end up in Oakland?
I think I drove here. Hehe.
Man, I don’t know how to answer this question…
I was living in SF for a few years, then went back to Cleveland to obsess over a new body of work, then immediately went on a 2 month road trip with 3 other artists all across the country. By the time I made it back here to the bay area, I had decided I needed 2 things. A time out, and a bigger studio; so Oakland seemed to be the right direction. So I moved into a really cool warehouse with my best friend 'Snakey' for a couple years. Since then I have relocated to a new live work space overlooking the highway.
Best place you have traveled to?
Papua new guinea
More overrated: Dolphins or Pirates
Dolphins… I was never that into the letter ‘R’, and besides, dolphins seem like they would make very sweet generous people.
Speaking of pirates, I personally believe that in the next year “Pirates” will be out, and “Zombies” will be in. Zombies are the new pink. Any thoughts on this?
I am about as sick of zombies as Gap’s “Skinny Black Pant’. Throughout the year you’ll find an astounding number of them staggering throughout the streets of SF.
I don’t take you for a sports aficionado, but you are from Ohio… Are you a Buckeye fan? I don’t think I have ever met someone from Ohio that wasn’t a Buckeye fan.
I’ve never been into watching sports at all. I haven’t watched TV since I left home at 17, so I’ve kept a pretty deaf ear. I tried to go to a baseball game last time I went back to Ohio - just to do it – and wound up ditching in the middle of the game.
First thing you thought about this morning?
I woke up with a sore throat this morning, so I probably said thought something like “greeeaaat, I’m sick”
Top 3 favorite design / art disciplines:
Music, architecture, and furniture design. as much as I love to paint, I wouldn't put it at the top of my list of the crafts that I admire most..
Favorite 80’s movie:
I grew up loving “The Color Purple”.
Why?
It’s Spielberg's Hollywood Chick flick, but I still think it’s pretty good. Good ol’ Whoopi… I remember just being kind of relieved that Hollywood would address some of these important issues that women have gone through with so much compassion. There is a song called ‘Sister” in there as well which I love.
Who was your favorite teacher in High school?
I went to two different schools at the same time, both my senior and junior year in high school. It was all a daze, and I don’t remember any of my teachers. I just couldn’t wait to move on.
So.... If I had a couple of beers with any of them, they wouldn't tell me anything interesting about you?
I don’t think any of my old teachers would remember me either. I always sat in the back of class drawing in the margins…
In the documentary film “Dithers” you stated, and I paraphrase, that most relationship’s are based on Control issues. How do you relate to this statement today?
I still can see some truth to that – but relationships between people are very complicated. To boil it down to strictly ‘control issues’ is pretty naive – but I think I was only 22 and just coming out of a complex relationship when I stated that, so it’s no surprise I was trying to oversimplify.
What are some of your personal “non-art” goals?
I don’t separate my paintings from my life – so it would reflect the same principles. To be a kinder person. To work hard, and stay humble.
Would you ever want to hike Mt. Kilimanjaro? I would.
I would too. But I’ve been getting into rock climbing, so I might be more excited to try something a little bit more technically challenging first.
Do you believe in ghosts and if so, do you have any good ghost stories?
I better not say…
My favorite Nina Simone song is “Sinnerman” what’s yours?
Probably “In the Dark”. This is the sexiest song in the world.
Where do you see yourself in 15 years?
I don’t see myself in the future. I am only concerned with the present. If I make it that far into the future, I guess I figured out how to get there.
When you start working on a painting, do you already have a vision of the entire finished piece? Or are you just doing it as you go?
I have the structural image in my head to begin with, and make subtle changes, like color choices, along the way.
I have always found your work revitalizing and brilliant, but with your newest show in LA [BLK/MRKT], I am really – slapped in the face shocked - by all your new pieces, they are amazing! How long has this collection been in the works?
Thank you very much. Let’s see, the work took me almost 28 years to complete. But actual brush strokes? Probably close to 8 –9 months, with a lot of overtime.
What’s your favorite piece?
I think in ways it could be the Mouse ball painting, and installation. I almost lost my mind on all the detail, but in the end, it was worth it. I had a lot of fun making the mask drawings as well.
A show like the one at BLK/MRKT is a big deal, a lot of emotions, so much going through your head… etc. What single minute of that night is most memorable / important?
This was the first opening that my parents came to. They have never been to Los Angeles before this either. So this was very special to me. It was incredible to watch their emotions.
You hit the jack pot, you win $952,000 – and you have to spend it before the end of the month, what do you do with it?
I would put it all towards a down payment on a small house in the bay area.
What’s next?
Same as always; I’ll keep my head down and paint. There are a few plans where I might show up next, but I am unwilling to lock anything down at this point. I am just trying to make some big paintings that take a very long time to make, without a deadline.
What’s the worst interview question you have ever been asked?
“Have you ever heard of a GOOD female artist?” or “Do you feel being a woman has an affect on your work?"
What is one question you would ask yourself during an interview, something no one has asked?
Well, no one has ever asked me WHY I paint. I always want to ask people why they do the things they do, what drives them.
I don’t want to see what would happen to me if I didn’t create my own life. I find what motivates people to be very fascinating and inspiring.
Tiffany, thank you for taking the time to sit down with us. We appreciate it. You have been an awesome friend to Left Field Project – thank you for the support! Smiles for miles. Thank you…..
[On a side note]
T-boz, are you a fan of the Salt and Pepper?
Well I’ve been stuck with that nickname since I was a kid. It is a pretty good one – as nicknames go. But I can’t think of any of Salt n Peppa’s songs besides “ahhhh….push it”.
For more info on Tiffany Bozic please visit her at:
www.Tiffanybozic.net