Meet Will Kaplan | Writing Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Will Kaplan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Will, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
A big part of my growth has been in adapting my creative time to the rest of my life. When I first got my studio in 2019, that was the only place I wanted to be. Even after a night out with friends, I would wind up back at the studio just pushing a piece a little further, or starting a new project. I burnt out from that fast, and found myself cagey or exhausted when trying to do anything there. Focussing on my relationships and my health made me appreciate the studio in a different way. I now have faith that with a great opportunity, or a project that I’m excited about, that I can still tap into that hunger and love for that personal creative space. But without something like that bringing me back there, I can make more time to see people, travel a bit, and to rest. I always keep some drawing materials on me, because that artistic itch will never subside completely. Artist books and sketchpads accompany me wherever I go, just a bit of kindling to keep the spark.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I usually describe my work as mixed-media collage: it’s the biggest umbrella that fits my mix of found images, and objects, with my own painting, printmaking and writing. My work has a home-spun feel to it, but still opens up little worlds of my own imagination.

I’m very proud of where I’m at right now: a few solo shows under my belt, challenging myself to create more ambitious work, and with a great community of artists that I help, and who value me in turn. None of that came easily, but I know that I my life would be harder without art at the center. After I graduated college in 2017, I spent the summer making work without any hope to show it; the idea was to find a full-time job and treat art as a hobby. I was miserable. At a lowpoint, I started applying to shows and reaching out to the few artists I knew. Within a few months, I was in my first group show! Things have progressed like that since then, with small milestones along the way. It’s hard work and a lot of rejection, but I know I suffer more and am worse off without taking those chances.

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.
Our itinerary depends on how much time or energy you have, but I suggest you take the ferry to Long Island City in Queens. It’s a really lovely ride across the East River. I’d meet you at the landing, and we could walk up and down Hunters Point Park along the water. From there, we would pop by my studio, and you could see what I’m working on. I often get my friends to hang out there with me as I’m making new work, and bumping music. Of course I have plenty of materials on hand to share, so you can collage or draw with me as some parallel play. At some point, I’ll get hungry (I’m always hungry) so we’d grab lunch, probably at one of the noodle shops. Noodle Craft is probably my favorite. It’s best to see art on a full stomach, so I’d take us to Moma PS1 (don’t worry, I can get us in for free) or 5-50 Gallery, another artist run space. After that we could grab a drink at a brewery, dive bar, or cocktail spot–we have options for all, though Focal Point brewery is a nice middle ground for all three, and there’s great outdoor seating.
From there, we’re only about a 15 minute walk to our apartment, where we can keep hanging out, listening to music, drawing, whatever. You’re almost certainly welcome to crash on our couch–I’ll just need to double check with my wife.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
New York is home to so many phenomenal artist run spaces. I love that each of these little galleries or venues have their own little networks, but across organizations there’s till so much collaboration and mutual support. I’ve pledged my allegiance to Bob’s gallery in Bushwhick. Sammy Bennet founded it 2 years ago in the living room of his friend and mentor Bob Laine. Since then many of my favorite artists like Jordan Segal, Weihui Lu, and Isis Davis-Marks have shown work or organized shows there. It’s a very open-minded space that shows ambitious work, but every event there is still so warm and open-hearted.

Website: https://willkaplanwritingartist.cargo.site/

Instagram: @will.kaplan