Anonymous
The Frontline, 2016, Digital Archival Print, 60x40 inches
How did you get into debt?
I come from an immigrant family, as political refugees, we had no money. I was completely on my own. BA was in a private art school (majority of my debt). I was a mom in graduate school (MFA), so I took out loans to help support my family as the teaching GA stipend was not enough. Also have an auto loan.
Obverse Discursive, 2016, Digital Archival Print, 40x60 inches
How does your economic reality effect your art?
I can't afford a studio. I share a small room with my husband, where we both make our work. I'm fully dependent on my university for printing, space, etc. Sales were very good a few years ago, which helped alot. But with the price of oil down for years, the Arab collectors are much more conservative in their buying. I'm not in the worst scenario, but I'm concerned about how much money I can really invest in my work when I have kids that will be going to college soon. I have a lot of anxiety about spending money on my work, when my kids are near college, and I have this much debt.
Sketch 2 from Negative Capable Hands, 2007, Digital Archival Print, 20x30
Would your work look different if you weren't in debt?:
Not sure
https://vimeo.com/60054623
vs. The Empire, Video Art (stop motion), 2011, 4min.
http://www.samaalshaibi.com/