Meet Marissa Y Clifford: Writer + Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marissa Y Clifford and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marissa Y, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I think it was Brian Eno who said something to the effect of, artists are often motivated as much by a need not to do something or live life in a prescribed way, as they are by their creative instincts. And in the process of not settling, of being stubborn (and probably privileged) enough to shape your own world, you find creative, unconventional ways to make a living as well. In my case, it wasn’t so much a question of pursuing a creative career, but of dreading what life would be without one.

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.
It’s not news to anybody that 2020 was difficult creatively, personally, nationally, globally. Earlier on in 2020, I was slated to go on tour doing visuals for a few bands, so when the music scene ground to a halt, I was forced to press pause. But that break in the grind was actually just what I needed. I was able to refocus and more intentionally choose the creative projects I was going to take on. Instead of doing live visuals, I did visuals for livestreams. Instead of having open studios, I showed work in a virtual group show. I’ve been able to spend more time in my studio, and am working on a screenplay, and launching a new curatorial project called LA Vernacular. I would also like to acknowledge that I’m lucky to be able to work from the safety of home, but I know that many people aren’t, and/or home is not a safe place. There are a lot of young artists out there who are struggling right now, for so many reasons. One thing that’s kept me going throughout the ups and downs, is the knowledge that, for women, our creative stories, voices, and perspectives have been systematically left out of the narrative for so long, that even just existing, being brave enough to put your art out into the world, and to take up that space unapologetically, is revolutionary. I hope that through my art, I can inspire other young women to push through and insist on having their creative voices heard.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Unfortunately it’s the era of covid, so I’m going to use this as an opportunity to fantasize about what I’d do as soon as everyone’s safely vaccinated and the restrictions are lifted. Daydream with me friends. I’d start off the week with dinner and cocktails at Salazar (it’s a staple for a reason), and then hop on over to Club Tee Gee for some dancing and the world’s largest disco ball. Throughout the week we’d trek through Ernest E. Debs park in El Sereno, peruse the staff picks at Stories Books, split a pizza and a bottle of natural wine at Grá, visit Johnny and Dave at The Douglas for some cheap beer and good conversation, grill in Elysian Park and shake-up homemade mezcal negronis. Maybe we’d skate at Moonlight Rollerways. And we’d definitely check out a show at 1700 Naud. For our last supper, we’d chug down some ice cold beers and hot fried chicken from Crawford’s. Crawford’s is church. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to send a shoutout to everyone who’s ever taken a chance on me. A career is built out of many small yeses, and I couldn’t be where I am today without every single one of them. I’d also like to thank my partner, who has always believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

Website: https://marissaclifford.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yardleysee/