John Copeland is an American artist who creates paintings using predominantly acrylics and oils. He was born in California in 1976 and studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts, where he gained a BFA in 1998. Copeland’s work has been exhibited internationally in Copenhagen, Bologna, Zurich, New York, Leipzig and most recently at the Newport Street Gallery in London. He lives and works in New York.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL WORKSPACE IN THREE WORDS…
Large and quiet, with minimal distractions
DOES THE SPACE YOU WORK IN HAVE AN INTERESTING STORY?
It used to house the Autumn Bowl, an indoor private skate park, half the space, 2500 square feet big wood bowl…
We also did the first Brooklyn Invitational here.
DO YOU WORK AND LIVE IN THE SAME SPACE, IF SO HOW DOES THAT AFFECT YOUR WORK?
No. I’ve found it’s good to have the separation.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF IN THE SPACE?
Probably the work I’ve been making… But the space is pretty special on it’s own and has a lot of history.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
A construction site.
WHAT CAN YOU SEE OUTSIDE YOUR WINDOWS?
I’ve only got the two sets of glass doors as windows.
So, it has always just been the alleyway. But the scaffolding company just moved out, so I have a temporary view of the city and east river right now.
WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE IN YOUR WORK?
Humor, love, violence, human interaction, abstraction…
FAVOURITE SONG/BAND PODCAST WHILE WORKING?*
It’s constantly in flux. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of less linear stuff like Glenn Branca, and today been listening to the Wipers all day.
WHAT’S THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN AND FROM WHOM?
Big trees don’t grow under other big trees. -Brancusi
WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST’S TOOL?
The mind.
Where They’ is a visual documentation of the creative environments of artist & people, that meet during my travels, of homes and studios.
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