We had the good fortune of connecting with DOSSHAUS and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi DOSSHAUS, what’s your definition for success?
To me, success is having the freedom to pursue the work and life you want for yourself. If you can spend the day working on something that brings you fulfillment, that day was a success.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work, created under the name DOSSHAUS, is mix of sculpture, painting, installation, performance, fashion, and photography. I use the most mundane of materials, recycled cardboard that I find in the streets of Los Angeles, and use it to create elaborate sculptures and installations, all painted in a sketchy, hand-drawn style to create the illusion of an alternate, animated reality. The medium and interdisciplinary nature of my art created challenges from the outset, as people didn’t really know how to categorize the work. While this is still occasionally presents an issue, I feel the best way to overcome it is to stay true to myself and the work. The people that understand the work will find you, and those are the people I’m making it for. I think it’s important for an artist to understand that their work is not going to be for everyone. There are numerous personal and professional challenges that come from pursuing a career in a creative field. Certainly too many to list here. But in every case, I think the answer is to stay true to yourself and your vision. That’s sometimes hard to do, but I think any challenge can be overcome if you stay focused on the where you want to go instead of where you’ve been. In the words of Bob Dylan, “Don’t Look Back.”
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to thank Sherri Trahan for her friendship and mentorship over the years. From the time we first met at the 2017 LA Art Show, Sherri understood my work in a way that few have. She was instrumental in bringing DOSSHAUS into Corey Helford Gallery and she never batted an eye when I wanted to turn that magnificent space into a cardboard hotel (PAPER THIN HOTEL, 2018)! Through it all, she’s been a trusted friend and confidante.
Website: dosshaus.com
Instagram: @ledosshaus
Twitter: @ledosshaus
Facebook: @ledosshaus
Youtube: LeDosshaus
Image Credits
DOSSHAUS