Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Chisholm.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
What’s my story? Gosh, I hate questions like this! I’m a movement and body artist who has specialized in aerial acrobatics for over ten years. I began as a photography model with Spencer Tunick back in 2007 when he did a group installation at the Sagamore hotel on Miami Beach, and we later shot individuals around the Beach during Art Basel (if you’re going to start, why not start at the top, right?!?). After this experience, I began exploring other modes of expression using my body as my instrument. I’ve experimented with many different photographers, self-made photographic works and video. I found an outlet for this wildness inside of me; something that’s always been there with no way to express itself. It’s something that if it sits for too long will drive you mad. It feels instinctual, like a wolf being called to howl at the moon; it’s an energy you must indulge that cannot be ignored. I don’t know if everyone has this, but my sense is that we all do; something outside of this world calling for us to create, to let our madness fly, to find a way to be outside of social norms. For me this is why art is important, to remind us of this part of ourselves when we are exhausted by society. We need to remember that the beauty in the world is not only on the outside but also inside of us, wild and free. I began chasing this feeling and the places that made me feel connected to it. For me there was something about the naked body, particularly in nature, that felt so powerful, so true. But I’m also a social creature and have lived in cities for most of my life. The most interesting juxtaposition for me is where all these elements combine. How do you tap into this wildness around other people, or even in front of them? In 2008 I found aerial acrobatics and completely fell in love. This was a whole new way of being physical with my body. It was challenging, interesting and beautiful! It constantly asked me to grow and pushed my limits every day. Having found this new way of moving I became more confident, more bold, and more knowledgeable about what my body can actually do. My journey as an aerialist has had an incredible impact on the way I use my body in making photographic art. I have a range of motion and precision that previously wasn’t there, but I also have been practicing the art of silent expression every single day. While most of the photographic collaborations are not aerial based, the way that I have come to understand my body and how to express things have been connected to my journey as an aerial artist. I have friends here in Miami that I have known for years who ask ‘how did you become this person?’ I guess it is a strange thing to be an aerialist and a nude body artist, but for me, it felt like the most natural progression. When you start to explore something you love you want to find all of its nooks and crannies, to see where it will take you and what the view will be like around the next bend. It is an unending process that leads you to places you didn’t think you’d go, but the journey is never boring.
Please tell us about your art.
I work collaboratively with photographers to create images using my body. I often work with the naked body because I feel there is so much vulnerability and power in nudity. I think that nakedness is SO over-sexualized in our culture while it can express so much more than that. There is so much beauty, innocence, power and playfulness in the plain naked body. As a woman my body is sexualized almost every day just by living in this world; walking around, driving, grocery shopping- it’s incessant. This is my way of reclaiming my body in the way that I want to be seen. I’m telling you to look at me in all these different ways, in softness, in power, in shadows, in pain, in silliness, in contemplation. If you’re going to check me out any way I’d like to have more control over the impression that you take away. There is so much that can be expressed physically- most of our communication is body language- and yet so many people are uncomfortable in their own skin. As a movement artist, I’ve been exploring this nonverbal communication for years; perfecting movement so that I can communicate emotions with ease. There are times when I’m constantly feeling like I’m failing and mostly I’m succeeding when I’m sitting in the emotion allowing it to move me. These photographs are a collaborative effort with each photographer to capture something deeply human and simple.
I’m inspired by things that happen to me in my daily life; by emotions, I feel. Some emotions feel so raw; you are stripped down to your core, left feeling so fragile and human- there must be someone on the planet who has experienced something similar. The inspiration often comes by something so intense I need to get outside of myself to deal with it. Sometimes the only way to endure joy or pain is to share it; like throwing it out into the vast universe, which swallows it whole like it’s nothing. Some of the works have been incredibly cathartic, some feel like hidden secrets, while others have been spontaneous inspirations. Each photographer I work with is different, and so the situation has to be approached uniquely. I like that the energy is always changing and it’s constantly different; it keeps me on my toes and keeps the work fresh.
I hope that when people see my work, they are moved; that they feel something. I want to tap into the raw emotions that we so often hide from. I think that our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our imperfections as humans are what actually bring us together. We hide from these things in our daily life; we don’t want people to see our broken parts, but it’s this rawness that we can connect to each other with. Everyone has some madness in them, some pain, some struggle, and a power and beauty that overcomes it all. I hope to evoke these feelings in people with this work.
The photo series are collaborations with photographers who each have their own body of work. I seek out photographers that have their own niche style developed; something they are perfecting that I can relate to and connect with and find ways to incorporate my own visions into the work. The content of the photographs is very collaborative; there is always an initial inspiration with each photographer but we work off of each other based on our experience, making suggestions and bouncing ideas around to get the best possible result.
Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
Finances are ALWAYS a concern, and there is never an easy answer. My advice would be to try to find time to make things as often as possible. If you are a maker, you need this, and it will bring you energy even if you’re not happy with what you make, even if you’re exhausted from your money job, even if you feel uninspired. Creating anything is a practice in itself; the more you practice, the easier it gets and the better it gets too. I’ve spent so much time creating things people will never see, never experience. You can call it a waste, but it’s all part of the evolution of being an artist and a creator. I’ve had so many odd money jobs over the years but have created a space for myself to continue to grow as an artist. Even now, I am lucky enough to do what I love for a living, but there is still a huge difference between my ‘commercial’ work and my artwork. I think it’s important to create that distinction for yourself so you don’t get confused. Some things you do for love, some things you do for money, sometimes they overlap. I think it’s important to try to be as true as possible to your artwork and to yourself.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
For the moment you can find some of the works available on my website www.flystephaniefly.com.
Any upcoming shows and exhibits will be listed there as well. You can also follow me on Instagram for a mix of art, performance, travel, and impressions of the world. @flystephaniefly
Ways to support my work can also be found on my website!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.flystephaniefly.com
- Email: flystephaniefly@gmail.com
- Instagram: @flystephaniefly
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