We had the good fortune of connecting with Maya Stern and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Maya, other than deciding to work for yourself, what was the single most important decision you made that contributed to your success?
Letting go.
My background is within Printmaking. I spent my time as an undergraduate candidate absorbing everything I could about the medium – I considered myself a die hard Printmaker. I began to realize that conceptually, the techniques I was utilizing within my work did not always benefit the outcome. Ultimately, I was making prints for the sake of Printmaking. This was a difficult realization, as I felt I was abandoning a large part of me and my practice.
I began exploring other mediums in graduate school and became very invested in Fibers. Suddenly things started to really make sense. After spending some time away from Printmaking, I was able to revisit my philosophies of the medium and connect the material to the process to the concept. Letting go to return back was ultimately the greatest decision I have made for my work. I now make work that combines weaving with screenprint, allowing me to naturally distort imagery through the technique I have developed.
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 explores the relationship between myself and my ancestors, seeking to reanimate lived experiences of wartime trauma. I challenge the mutability of memory as it’s handed down through generations.
My work merges historic weaving techniques with non-traditional printmaking media, subjecting family narratives to processes of decay and loss. Through the use of original photographs and personal objects manipulated to reveal the effects of time and the failure of recollection, my work aims to preserve a personal experience that often defies memory, one rooted in trauma. Ultimately these works become a mnemonic device in themselves, retelling the narratives of those who, whether through political or social forces, fear, or distress, remain unable to tell their own story. My work attempts to reconcile the degradation of ancestral history with the duty to preserve and retell what must not be forgotten.
Making art is never easy, but I have grown to appreciate the advice of a graduate mentor and “work smarter, not harder”. The answers are almost right there, its all about realizing what you need and want out of your work.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
– lattes at Seven Stars Bakery – Visit the Botanical Center at the Roger Williams Park Zoo
– View the permanent collection at RISD.
– Drive to Jamestown and stop at Fort Wetherill State Park before visiting
– Brunch at Julian’s
– Drinks at Narragansett Brewery
– (Depending on the season) lunch at Champlin’s in Point Judith, or Monahan’s (Narragansett)
– Providence is rather small, so we’d likely take the train to Boston and view exhibitions at the Institute of Contemporary Art
– We would spend the rest of our time thrifting
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are many people I could contribute my successes to. My undergraduate professors, Lilla Samson, Barbara Pagh, and Gary Richman, were able to recognize my interest before I did. They provided me numerous opportunities in the field of Printmaking that broadened my experience and admiration for the art. They taught me what successful instruction looks like and I will always be grateful for their mentorship.
Teaching my students – both past, present, and future – has taught me a lot about myself and my practice. We have discussions in class and often, their arguments has revealed something to me I was otherwise unfamiliar with. Their approach to artmaking challenges my view on the technique – I find I learn from them and the way they navigate through the parameters of an assignment.
My Partner, Doug Johnson, and best friend, Brett Morgan, have provided me with endless support towards my practice. They both know me in and out – their feedback is invaluable.
Most importantly, my ancestors, who gave me life and a voice.
Website: www.mayastern.com
Instagram: ma.ya.stern