Travis Fish
“The sweater acts as the template. The structure of the sweater is the constant, but what’s happening on it could change every time.”
Interview by Natalia Gonzalez Martin
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your background? Where did you study?
I was born in Wisconsin. I attended the school of the art institute of Chicago for undergraduate. Lived around Asia for a bit then moved to New York in 2015
Your painting process is fast, which works great if you are depicting fast fashion. Tell us a bit about how you spend your day/studio routine? What is your studio like?
I start by finding an image. I’ll scroll through Instagram and have a coffee. Once I find it I’ll do a fast drawing on the canvas then start painting. I don’t really stop until it’s finished, just bounce around it all day. I usually have offset or some podcast on.
You moved to NY in 2015, one of the capitals of fashion. Did the city have an effect on your subject matter and the speed at which your produce work?
I think it’s had a huge influence on my work. Just walking down the street will lead to a new painting. One moment in particular that changed a lot for me was a Telfar show. He had musicians as models and blurred the whole thing between runway show and concert.
I cannot help but observe a slight hint of criticism to the hyper capitalistic society we live in, is this just me?
No, that’s not just you. There is a bit of that going on.
Jumpers, Duve Berlin Gallery 2020 - 21
Jumpers, Duve Berlin Gallery 2020 - 21
Jumpers, Duve Berlin Gallery 2020 - 21
Jumpers, Duve Berlin Gallery 2020 - 21
Jumpers, Duve Berlin Gallery 2020 - 21
You focus mainly on sweaters, in previous interviews, you have explained how this subject allows you to project different subjects into it. A canvas within canvas, matryoshka doll situation. Can you expand more on this?
The sweater acts as the template. The structure of the sweater is the constant, but what’s happening on it could change every time. Whatever I see that would make a good painting is a go. It could be a wolf or a sunset or a pattern or text. People will put anything on a sweater. There is so much in sweaters, they say a lot.
Instagram is filled with fan pages for every single influential person out there. For a long time, you depicted Migos which then led you to focus on fashion. You have mentioned a lot of your imagery is borrowed from social media. What other images and accounts could we find in your Instagram feed?
@offsetyrn_fanpage
@laflamefits
@special____projects
@detactives
@artreviewpower100 for laughs
You have a solo exhibition at Duve Berlin (November 6th 2020 - February 2021.) The gallery has a trajectory of showing artists whose subject matter borrows direct inspiration from the digital. How do you feel about this exhibition?
Looking back at past Duve exhibitions is what lead to the determination that this show would be a good fit. The digital plays so much into this for me.
You should see my screen time, and I know I’m not alone with that.
Is there anything else in the pipeline?
Solo show at Gana Art in Seoul Jan 2021. Solo show at Carl Kostyal Sweden 2021.
A few collaborations that should be fun.
All images are courtesy of the artist and Duve Berlin
Date of publication: 21/01/21
