Greenfields
Prairie: Jillian, how did this collaboration come to be?
Jillian Solotes: It really is the dress that has brought us all together and made this collaboration happen. One year ago I was on a road trip and stopped to visit Gary Graham’s studio in Franklin, NY. I fell in love with this dress and it since has traveled with me across highways from New York to North Carolina to my home now in Texas. When I arrived in Texas I knew that Lauren also lived here - I envisioned us spending an afternoon together photographing the dress in the prairie landscape.
Lauren, how do you think the dress fits in with your photographic style? Gary, in which ways do you think Lauren’s photographs connect to the spirit of the dress?
Lauren Withrow: When I photograph, I photograph a story. This dress tells a story, one I don’t necessarily know or understand. I see stories in clothing or lack thereof.
Gary Graham: I was so excited when you told me you and Lauren would be shooting the dress since I have been a huge fan of Lauren’s work. I started “grafting” imagery from objects since digital textile printing started, I was suddenly able to have endless colors without worrying about the amount of screens needed. In other words, I think there are spirits lifted from the original objects in a sense.. Or a continuance of history that I feel when I see Lauren’s images. For me, they are contemporary visions of imagery I have always been inspired by. I also feel a sense of alchemy or witchcraft which I resonate with. I also love how Lauren’s subjects are active players in the landscape or setting.. they become characters in a narrative.
Jillian, what about the dress connected you to it? How do you feel when you wear it?
JS: I feel completely myself when wearing this dress... In many ways it becomes a part of me. It is something I could put on every day with confidence knowing its connection to history and nature. I can wear this dress out in the field or to a dinner party.. I feel like it can withstand anything.. with age and some dirt it becomes more beautiful.
Gary, what made you call this dress the ‘Lillian’ and where does the print come from?
GG: The print was taken from an early 20th century transfer-ware platter. Lillian Jefferson is a character in a para fictional drama I am creating around the 422 building (a former bank). Lillian’s character is that of a young lawyer, suffragette, an advocate for social justice. There are three women that come from three women on a postcard Sean and I found of the building from 1909. They are standing on the steps of the building looking into the camera as if they were interrupted. The actual platter will “serve” two purposes in the drama.
You all live in small towns close to beautiful nature. What qualities of your surrounding landscape reflect in your work and how?
LW: I have always been drawn to nature, the connection I have with it. I feel most at home in fields or woods, wherever nature speaks freely. Nature is humbling.. a teacher. Something that reveals stories and lessons.
GG: Being able to see the sky has been a big influence on my work. I'm not so attached to my original ideas.. Maybe it's just that I'm getting older though.
JS: These photographs were taken where I was living for while in the country. The landscape there felt like the perfect setting for the dress. I am living closer to the city now but hoping to get back to nature. Being deep in nature is where I find the most inspiration for my work.
Lauren and Gary, you both left life in NYC while so many people desire to move there. What made you leave a place that is normally considered the center of creative life? How did that affect your creative process?
LW: I found great inspiration in New York, there really isn’t much about it that does not work for me. I am, however, very adaptive to surroundings. But having remarkable landscapes not far from me is enticing. I belong on the road, not in one place for too long.
GG: Although I am still working in a studio over a cutting table I have light all around me and places to go and explore in nature. I lived in New York for over 25 years and I never thought I would leave. I realize now all of the places I loved - the navy yard, vinegar hill, any desolate street - is now occupied. I've always loved abandoned urban landscapes so now I go to places like Binghamton or Buffalo - where I met you Jillian at the Henry Hotel! It's sort of magical to think you can be creative anywhere these days and have things you weren't necessarily supposed to have if you were an artist living in the city.
What is your creative community like where you are? How is your work tied to it?
LW: I recently moved to a new community this past spring so unfortunately I haven’t found a community much here. My community exists with my friends that are all over the world and the conversations we share at this time.
GG: I live with my partner Sean and he is very supportive. I've also been working with another ex-NYC designer who has been helping me with my work. There are many young artists up here creating their own world and commerce and not depending on the city.
JS: Even though I am in Texas at the moment I am always traveling and previously lived nomadically for many years visiting and working with other artists. I feel very lucky to have a creative community wherever I go.
What’s on the horizon both spiritually and artistically?
LW: Everything. I have no boundaries or limits to my curiosity right now. Quite frankly, I want to try and explore everything I can.
GG: I've been starting to film my tv shopping show which is part reality part historical fiction series so I can create clothing inside this narrative and sell it directly. I've had this idea forever so I'm really pushing for it to happen. I've been working with two young actresses and it's been an incredible experience for me.
JS: I will be spending more time in Mexico next year. I am looking forward to seeing how the landscape and culture influences my work.
This is one of the first true Prairie collaborations. What other Prairie artist would you be interested in collaborating with and why?
GG: It would be fun to work with a musician and make a video. I'd like to create a wardrobe around a narrative that Jillian or Lauren comes up with or we collaborate on.
LW: I agree with Gary... I enjoy collaborating and going further than one collaboration. Digging deeper than exploring outwards from there too.
JS: I would like to work with all Prairie’s artists making short docs about their process and life.
Dress: Gary Graham 422
Photos: Lauren Withrow
Artist: Jillian Solotes