Name: Alisha A. Sickler
Hometown: Elmira, NY
Training/School: BFA Printmaking 2001 Binghamton University
MS Ed. Art Education 2009 Elmira College
Visual Arts Teaching Certificate K-12
Vermont Studio Center- Sculpture Fellowship April 2003
Community Involvement: Board member/ Graphic Designer- Spool Mfg Contemporary Art Space; NYSATA member; Art teacher- Binghamton High School (Rod Serling School of Fine Arts)
Describe your ‘art’: I use mixed media, assemblage with natural and found objects, installation, and digital imagery.
Who or what inspires your work?
I tend to focus on subjects dealing with spirituality, science, human development, and aesthetics. Currently in my work, I am pairing concepts found in natural world phenomena, such as ‘self-similarity’, as found in root systems, vein, and nerve systems, with concepts found in child development. I am also using hand imagery, metaphorically and as narrative, as it relates to child development. In addition to being a teacher, being a mother, of course, inspires me a great deal.
Some artists that I like are Kiki Smith, Joseph Beuys, Robert Rauschenberg, Agnes Martin, Ana Mendieta, Antonio Lopez Garcia, Magdelena Abakanowitz, Eva Hesse.
What do you think is needed to help the arts community thrive in our region? People first need to realize the importance that art and aesthetics has in their everyday lives. I think that as more people come to see it as a true need, people would be more inclined to support it, both as an audience and as participators. Practically speaking, there is a financial need as well. We need to be giving artists a reason to stay here, because far too many feel a need to leave because they can’t support themselves. It also is the responsibility of our local schools to support the arts, and consider it on the same level as other academic disciplines.
What is your proudest accomplishment so far? I’m proud that I’ve remained an artist regardless of what life’s thrown at me. I’m proud of my ascent into motherhood.
Who are your favorite local artists? Zach Seeger is amazing—(and happens to be my husband!) but regardless of that, he is by far the most prolific and pertinent artist I’ve seen in a long time. My mentors Don Demauro and Ron Gonzalez are extremely important artists- we are lucky to have them teaching and sharing their work in this area. Also, Robert Fundis and Michael Lieberman make fantastic work. I’ve seen some wonderful things from recent BFA graduates at BU as well.
Advice to aspiring artists: Don’t ever apologize for being an artist.
Who are you listening to and/or reading right now? I’m reading ‘The Myth of Sisyphus and other short essays’ by Albert Camus. I’m also reading ‘Evolution’s End' by Joseph C. Pearce. I’ve been listening to a lot of David Bowie, Radiohead, and Depeche Mode. I’m also very much into the ‘ART:21’ video series both personally and as a teaching tool. I also love the Children's Media Project.
What is important to you? Professionally, it is important to me that my students understand the power and significance of art. I think it is important to find dignity and purpose in life. It is important to explore the world by making things, through interactions. Tolerance is also very important.
Who are your personal heroes? I admire anyone who knows who they are and practices compassion.
Favorite quote? “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong” -Joseph Chilton Pearce
Do you have any upcoming shows or events that you’d like the public to know about?
‘Paraclete: Self Similarity, Being, & Becoming’
New Works by Alisha Sickler
Spool Mfg Contemporary Art Space
Johnson City, NY
On display through January 31st
