anna

Anna J. McIntyre

HA&L Biographical Sketch for contributor Anna J. McIntyre

Interviewer: K.C. Carryon

April 1st, 2009, 10:22 a.m., Café Joe, 3068 rue St-Antoine Ouest, Montreal

K.C.: So, Anna, when did you first consider yourself an artist?

A.J.: ummm, hmmm, well it’s funny, I don’t really call myself an artist. I kind of wriggle out of that one by declaring myself as a printmaker, even though I’ve done more sculptural work than printmaking in the last 2 years. I guess it sounds more practical and real. But, I’ve always drawn and made things. It was a massive part of growing up for me. My mum’s an artist, and my dad had tons of those diy books around, so we grew up surrounded with art and making. I start to feel a little wiggy if I’m not drawing regularly.

K.C.: Who are your artistic influences and how so?

A.J.: Wow, that’s a tricky one, there’s so many! My first influence was definitely my mum, Gillian McIntyre, she really gets a lot out of ordinary moments. When I was very small and living in Saskatchewan we used to spend a lot of time just looking at things and drawing them, like beavers building dams, bugs, and then later people. I was inspired by my dad, Keith McIntyre, too. He has a real do-it-yourself spirit. His attitude is basically, if you don’t know how to do something, you just go get the book and figure it out. Ummm, more recent ones are Sophie Calle’s work. I love her performative art missions that explore and document the human condition. Her ideas have such a pared down framework, they seem so simple, but daring and the results are so rich! I’m always thinking, “Damn, I wish I’d done that!”. My other inspirations include: Alexander Calder’s miniature circus that he performed in front of adult audiences; Jean-Michel Basquiat and David Hockney, I love the way they draw, their use of colour, how they talk about art and their amazing work ethic; Louise Bourgeois’s beautiful drawings and the crazy stories that go with them. Most recently I’ve been intrigued with Catherine Sullivan’s work exploring socially acceptable behaviour through gesture and movement. O ya, and the Art Gallery of Ontario had an exhibition called “Ultrabaroque: Aspects of Post Latin American Art” in 2002 that has haunted me ever since.

K.C.: By the way, what’s your link with Hamilton?

A.J.: I went to school at HSC (Hillfield Strathallan College) at Garth and Fennel from grades 6 to 13.

K.C.: Can you talk about your recent work?

A.J.: Sure, well currently I am really interested in creating installations that encourage people to be aware of what they are experiencing. I’m trying to do this through creating unusual, but not intimidating, situations that hopefully people can engage with, without feeling manipulated or put on the spot. I’m sure this sounds a little vague … I’m really interested in the phenomenology of artwork. Fundamentally I am interested in the stories we tell ourselves, how we make meaning from experience, how people communicate, stuff like that. I also have a few projects in the works that combine sports and art.

K.C.: So do you have any other interests besides visual art?

A.J.: Yes! I like everything! Science, music, poetry, dance, reading, writing, listening, graffiti, people watching, psychology, philosophy, film, fashion, sport, travelling. I find it really easy to amuse myself. I’m trying to learn to play the accordion and the violin and I love soccer. I’m going to try and max out on playing pick-up soccer at the parks around Montreal this summer.

For more information on Anna J. McIntyre’s projects check ça ---> dontarguewithghosts.blogspot.com and www.ayjayem.ca

Now, enjoy the work of Anna Jane McIntyre. °

[This HA&L biographical sketch and introduction © 2009 KC & AJM.]