Artist's Journeys Bring Him Through Tampa
Published: Jan 18, 2008
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TAMPA - Not only will the sold out works of renowned contemporary artist Jeremy Fish be part of the exhibit "Out of Print" celebrating the 15th anniversary of the Skatepark in Tampa, but the man himself is in town. We caught up with the humble and soft-spoken Fish on a mission to see manatees while in the area. He talked about his work and the journey of an artist.
Q: How did you get hooked up with the Skatepark of Tampa?
A: I was hired to do work for the posters and was asked to do a show. I'm actually booked a few years in advance, but I thought I'd do this. I'm showing sold out screen prints that are the last ones available to the public and completing a mural.
Q: Describe your artistic style.
A: Narrative stories with characters and symbols. Individual style is very important, and it's constricting because you need to keep yourself happy. I developed a style that lends itself to many styles and narratives … It's open to expand. It's easier said than done. I don't do the same thing over and over; it changes.
Q: How did you score the cover art for rapper Aesop Rock's latest album, "None Shall Pass?"
A: He's a friend of mine, and a fan of my work. His wife bought some of my pieces for their home. We were introduced by a mutual friend and started hanging out a lot. … I'm a huge fan of his music so it's a mutual admiration. When he moved to San Francisco about four years ago he was already six months into the album. When he came close to finishing he asked me to do the album art. … I'm super proud of it.
Q: What's it like to be able to see your work on an album cover?
A: I make a lot of different stuff for a lot of different things, but this is an audience I used to be in. At 33 it's nice to communicate with an audience that was once who you were. … There's a feeling that I'm part of that.
Q: You're internationally known. Is this where you pictured you'd be at 33?
A: When I first moved to San Francisco I had no intentions of staying out West … but it didn't go down that way. I didn't think it'd take me this far. … I'm more of a one step at a time person, and it's paid off the best.
Q: How does it feel to say that this is your job?
A: It's awesome. I'm really grateful it's my job. There's been small and crappy shows and some huge and amazing. It can be strange, but you do it.
Q: Even though you're visiting, your work is being shown at a Tampa gallery run by Tampa artists. Why is it important to support local artists?
A: Because everybody needs a chance and an opportunity. Maybe you're not that interested in art, but you need to support it so that your neighbor can make his paintings and survive doing that.
Q: What's up next for you?
A: I'm about to go to Bali to work with a guy who makes my frames that I'll use for my first solo show in New York in May. It's my first solo show there, and I want it to be special. After that I got one in Milan.
Q: Sounds like you're all over the place. Do you think you'll ever slow down?
A: It's starting to wear off. Last year I was in seven shows in five countries. … I'm starting to slow down. For a long time I was so grateful for the opportunities I said yes to a lot of things and was overcommitted. I want to stay in San Francisco and do more shows around there.
OUT OF PRINT
WHAT: Art show featuring a collection of sold out screen prints and a mural by Jeremy Fish in conjunction with the Skatepark of Tampa 2008 Tampa Am skateboarding competition
WHEN: 8 tonight
WHERE: Redletter1 Gallery, 1510 E. Eighth Avenue, Ybor City
HOW MUCH: Free
MORE INFO: superfishalsf.com, red
letter1.com, skateparkoftampa.com
Reporter Sarah Hoye can be reached at (813) 259-7832 or shoye@tampatrib.com.
