Nancy Willis interview with Michael Zheng about coping with different jobs in order to make art

The first few years after school have been a trial and tribulation for me as I struggle to remain productive and experimental yet still get shows, maybe even in the commercial gallery world. Five years after graduating from the MFA program at the San Francisco Art Institute, I wanted to find out how my experience of the art world compared with that of the other students so I came up with the idea to interview them on video and show the conversations in a gallery. I ended up calling the show The Profession and it will be on exhibit at the Marina Abramovic Institute West in San Francisco from May 21 – July 2, 2010. Most of the interviews are very personal, and they share themes of struggle, inspiration and perseverance. This blog attempts to open up a parallel forum for anyone who might be living a similar experience, or is concerned with similar issues.

While it is not a surprise that the artists interviewed were challenged by the so called real art world, it is refreshing to see how they came to terms with it. Having had a reality check on their art school ideals and experiments, many of the artists have evolved their thinking on why they make art, who they make art for and what they make art about.

To no one’s surprise the biggest challenge is the inescapable reality of self-sustenance. The way that is dealt with is the most heart-warming and inspiring thread that runs through the interviews. More than one person choked up while recounting their struggle in order to continue to make art.

To start this blog, I would like to pose a similar question to all who are visiting these pages: What is it about making art that drives you to sacrifice so much just to stay in the field? Is there nothing else that feels as worthy and significant as producing a great work of art and feeling oneself part of a great tradition of art-making? Is it the narcissistic satisfaction that comes with being the center of attention? Is it the potential for art stardom? Or are we just misfits who can’t find their way into other professions?