HOARD: Describe your photography with one word.
MEGHAN:
Introspective
HOARD: Now describe your photography with as many
words as you want.
MEGHAN: Dark, colorful, quiet, funny, intelligent, pensive.My work is a direct reflection of me. I grew up in a political place, so politics and commentaries on culture can't help, but find their way in. I appreciate when someone's reaction to my work is "that's kinda fucked up". To me that means that they are lured in because of the colors and lighting, but are compelled to keep looking because something is "off" in the concept. It is the whole venus fly trap effect. The label "vagina dentate" has been attached to my work. Which simply means a vagina with teeth. I toy with the idea of gender quite often. I think some people find it emasculating to question such a thing, but I don't see people as male or female, I just see personalities. People's stories fascinate me to no end. I like making visually appealing portraits and dramas while subtly sneaking in a back story.
HOARD:
Please complete the following sentence:
"A woman's works is never...."
MEGHAN: ....finished. We are analytical creatures who are constantly in revision.
HOARD: What inspires you?
MEGHAN: Other artists such as David Lachapelle, Gregory Crewdson, Ida Applebroog, Mark Ryden, personal politics, fantasies, and memories. I'm a magazine addict. Inventive graphic design always gives me ideas on how to broaden my medium.
HOARD: Can you describe something about your creative work process? How do you go about the work of making art?
MEGHAN: I keep lots of notes on scraps of paper that are strewn about my apartment and I save things that give me ideas in sketchbooks. After planning everything out I go into work mode. Shooting still life and people are very different shooting processes. Still life is very relaxing and detail oriented. People are stressful and exciting. I try to get friends to be my actors because they will work for beer and are more reliable, most of the time. My adrenalin is pumping after a good shoot. It is that awesome feeling of knowing you got something good and it is done.
HOARD: Where did you grow up?
MEGHAN:
The Virginia side of the D.C. area. It is a place I would never live in again.
It was a good place to grow up, but now has been sullied by yuppie assholes.
HOARD: Astrological sign?
MEGHAN:
Pisces. Emotional, sensitive Pisces.
HOARD: How old were you when
you seriously picked up the camera?
MEGHAN:
I have always been into photography ever since I was little, but my first real
attempt was when I took a black and white class as a high school sophmore. I loved
the instant gratification that came with printing in a darkroom. I haven't turned
back since.
HOARD: Do you work with film or digital, or both?
MEGHAN: Always film. Digital just isn't up to the quality of film…yet.
HOARD: What are you currently working on?
MEGHAN: I am taking "dolls" to a dark place. I want them to hit absolute bottom. Seeing these cutesy play things as the model is very creepy to me. Not just because of subject matter but, because of how realistic they are making them look these days. Now they are adding musculature and yet keep them thin enough that they sculpt hints of ribs on their sides. I find that depressing.
HOARD:
What would you like to achieve in the near future, in regard to your work as a
photographer?
MEGHAN:
I want to get a solo show up in L.A. or San Fran.
HOARD: Last words?
MEGHAN: I will have a piece in the "99 Square Pegs" show for Ladyfest East in New York City sometime in June. [END]
---
more Meghan Quinn photography HERE
---