Photographer Clarissa Bonet answer The Chromosome of Creativity

Clarissa Bonet (b. 1986 Tampa Florida) Lives and works in Chicago. She received her M.F.A. in photography from Columbia College Chicago in 2012 and her B.S. in Photography from the University of Central Florida. Her work has been exhibited in Chicago, California, New York, 

Clarissa Bonet. 

among other places as well as internationally in Paris and at the Pingyao International Photo Festival in China. She was the recipient of the Albert P. Weisman grant for two consecutive years. Her work is in the collection of The Museum of Contemporary Photography, The South East Museum of Photography, The Haggerty Museum, and Calumet Photographic. In 2012 she was in the top 50 of Critical Mass, and won PDN’s the Curator; search for undiscovered fine art photography. Most recently she has been chosen as a winner in Magenta Foundation’s 2013 Emerging Photographer exchange. www.clarissabonet.com 

1- When did you decide to pursue art/photography/illustration as a career?

At a young age I knew that I wanted to pursue a career as an artists. I started experimenting in photography I knew that it was the perfect medium for me. Straight out of high school I enrolled in college to study it—and earned a bachelor’s degree in photography. The following year I enrolled in graduate school, where I earned an MFA in Photography.

2- What are your goals as an artist?

As an artist, my goal is to actively communicate with my viewers and share my perspective of the world.

3- What's your favourite place to develop your ideas?

My current work is vastly inspired by the urban space. Most of my ideas develop on the city street. I often pause to take notes or snapshots in the middle of the hustle and bustle.

4- Where in the world is your favourite place to see art? 

I would have to say New York City. The availability and access to art there is incredible. From street art to museums, it seems to envelope the city.

5- What exhibit, that you have seen within the last year, has most influenced you?

I was recently at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and saw two amazing shows, both incredibly inspiring. The first, Cut 'n' Paste: From Architectural Assemblage to Collage City, is an artists’ experiment with the medium of collage to express their relationship with the city. The work in the show spanned decades, and it was very interesting to see the different ways in which people image the city. The second show at MOMA, American Modern: Hopper to O'Keeffe, was equally inspiring. It depicted works from a variety of artists and mediums from MOMA’s permanent collection. All of these artists depicted America over the decades. Painter Edward Hopper has been a source of inspiration in my own practice and it was truly breathtaking to see some of his most iconic paintings in person.

6- Do you collect anything?

I am slightly obsessed with vintage jewelry. I try to find a new piece for my collection wherever I travel.

7- If you could choose anyone to see your work, who would he or she be?

It is no secret that photographer Ray Metzker has inspired me. I would love to have the opportunity to share my work with him.

8- What is the greatest compliment anyone has ever paid to you regarding your artwork?

A few times people have written to me to tell me that my work was an inspiration to them and their own artistic practice. As an artist, that is one of the best compliments I could ever get.

9- In which walls would you like to see your work exposed in 10/20 years.

I hope to have my work curated into a show at a large institution like MOMA or the Whitney Museum of American Art.

10. Last one, Who would you love to see answering this same questions?

Matthew Carter

http://matthewcarter.co.nz/

Clarissa Bonet.