Niki Singleton
It's A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, 2016, Acrylic and ink on NY Times, 36X24 inches
How did you get into debt?
Immigration and outstanding rent costs
This Land Is My Land, 2016, Ink on New York Times Magazine, 11X9 inches
How does your economic reality effect your art?
Constant worry about being able to afford monthly studio rent and to pay off my debt makes it difficult to focus on art making. My studio is in my house and though I'm lucky to have it, it is too small but I can't afford a bigger one. Not much freedom to leave the house and travel in the city because it always costs money for travel and food. Going to art museums costs a lot so I don't go very often unfortunately. I can't afford to buy the art books I need or the amount of painting materials I need so I don't buy enough. I work with what I can which is often cheap or found materials. Often I can't afford art frames needed to sell works. I haven't applied to shows because I couldn't afford the postage the artist must pay for. My works are priced lower than they should be in order to sell because I need the money. I'm constantly searching for jobs and worrying about getting them. I'm very lucky to have a loving partner who feeds and supports me!
The Scream, 2016, Acrylic and Ink on New York Times cover, 22X10 inches
Would your work look different if you weren't in debt?:
Yes I would buy more and better quality materials rather than use found materials from the streets and draw on newspapers. I would make more work, use more paint and print more work if able to afford more ink. I'd frame more work also so I can sell more. I'd make more shows if I could afford to.
Nikisingletonstudio.com