Nancy Kay Turner
Pasadena CA
Age77
What keeps you excited in the studio?
Doing new work… moving to the next level in scale and complexity
Looking back at your trajectory as an artist, how would you say your work has developed?
Although I trained as a painter and got my graduate degree in painting and sculpture, I realize that certain themes were already present in my work over 50 years ago such as absence/ presence. I added paper (therefore making my first collage ) circa 1968.
What role do you think the artist has in today’s society?
The artist is always from the future. Pushing the boundaries of what is acceptable usually inclusive and non-judgmental. Artists are thinkers, philosophers, scientists, spiritualists, teachers moving the culture inexorable towards the future. Past is prologue … artists investigate the present, dig into the past and project into the future.
What’s the most important advice you could give to an aspiring artist?
Keep at it. Don’t be afraid to explore and break the rules.
Does age matter in art? Why or why not?
Yes and no! Youth has the ability to break rules especially if they are not even aware of them. Youth has arrogance and nerve ( in the best sense). Older artists have institutional memory and it seems the culture is about to catch up to older overlooked and under appreciated older female artists.
What can we look forward to from you next?
More writing about art… artist essays. Developing new work focusing on the domestic sphere and materials from the kitchen/home.
Is there anything else you would like to share about being an artist later in life?
My friend said “never to old to be bold!”
http://www.nancyturnerstudio.com
@nancykayturner
