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Britt Thomas

An Interdisciplinary Lens-Based Artist

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Home newsBeaumont Enterprise Interview

Beaumont Enterprise Interview

Posted on January 2020January 2020by Britt Thomas

I recently was interviewed by Syd Kearney at the Beaumont Enterprise in Beaumont, TX. Kearney asked questions about my photo series, Indian Spirit, that is currently on view at the Galveston Arts Center. You can find the interview below:

https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/entertainment/article/PN-G-traditions-intrigue-photographer-14977572.php

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[TRIGGER WARNING – SUICIDE] On July 20th, 1993, [TRIGGER WARNING – SUICIDE] On July 20th, 1993, Vincent Foster, Deputy White House Council to President Bill Clinton, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in Fort Marcy Park. His death quickly became conspiracy theory fodder against the Clintons and remains that way to this day. I have been fascinated lately with conspiracy theories and what draws people to believe in them (which is how I started reading about Vincent Foster’s death). What intrigued me the most about his death was a torn-up draft of a possible resignation letter in his handwriting that was found in his briefcase almost a week after his death. That note stands as the last written words of a man who cherished his reputation and was overwhelmed by what he saw as the ruining of it due to the White House travel office controversy. The last paragraph stated: “I was not meant for the job or the spotlight of public life in Washington. Here ruining people is considered sport.” That last sentence stuck with me. It rings true on so many levels well beyond the context of Washington. I used Vincent Foster’s original handwriting from the torn note to create this stamp. It is not the most legible, but I thought it was important to keep it in his handwriting. I tried making a stamp of his words in a standard font, but it’s not resonating for me. I’m not sure where I will go from here, but showing this step in my processing.
These photos represent 2 of 3 artificial grass art These photos represent 2 of 3 artificial grass artworks that I created over the summer. The phrases I cut into the grass rolls originate from protest signs seen at anti-mask and anti-lockdown “reopen” protests that took place across this country in April and May (and continue). Investigative journalists found that a large number of these protests were organized and promoted through fake shell websites, non-profits and social media groups that connected back to a handful of powerful people. Many of these protests have been deemed astroturfing. Astroturfing is the practice of masking the sponsors of a message or organization to make it appear as though it originates from and is supported widely by grassroots participants. I focused particularly on choosing language in signs that seemed to function as doublespeak. Doublespeak is language that deliberately obscures, disguises, distorts, or reverses the meaning of words. I chose “Stop Crying Wolf”, “Facts over Fear” and “Don’t Mask The Truth”. I was amazed at how these phrases seemed to reverse meaning when used in the context of reopen and anti-mask protests. Over the course of this pandemic, I have become more and more aware of the conditions that allow for manipulation and indoctrination, the tactics used, calculated language… I have been fascinated with not only how this is used for political purposes, but within the context of cultism as well as late stage capitalism.
Could my red flags BE any bigger?!? (said in Chand Could my red flags BE any bigger?!? (said in Chandler from Friends voice). Actually, they could. I want to double the size, but I’m working on these big babies first since 5 feet is the width of the bolt and I can get a lot of pennant flags from my fabric (💰). These are made out of a weatherproof fabric for outdoor installation. If the pandemic is going to make interior spaces less inviting, let’s take it outside! I’m working out a lot of ideas that focus on community at-home participation and public display, making the most out of this bad situation. Now I need to figure out how to string these 🚩 together. 🤔 In the meantime, they sure do jazz up the studio!
Have y’all seen the virtual group exhibition tha Have y’all seen the virtual group exhibition that I am in? Oh missed it? That’s okay! It’s been extended! Please read below for more info. Posted @withregram • @artistsforartiststx EXTENDED!!!! REPOSE Virtual Exhibition ⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Per public request, we are extending this exhibition through 09.01.20. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check out the virtual exhibition and then pop over to our gallery shop to purchase a piece from the show. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We will also be continuing with our REPOSE IG Takeover next week, featuring additional artists from the Repose exhibition.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁠📷 @britt_thomas_art ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ “REPOSE is about the radically subversive act of simply being, of sharing space, of touching, of wearing each other with comfort and pride. To share space, to be connected by touch, by skin." Leslie Moody Castro⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ This digital group exhibition curated by @lesliemoodycastro is composed of work from ten artists⁠. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Including:⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @ayayayd ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @ghislainefremaux⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @picturesofthingsidonteat⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @britt_thomas_art⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @foxsar⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @saravanderbeek⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @plutolenztheveganphotographer @anthonycfrancis⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @elainebradford_studio⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ @rballin⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⁠⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Link in bio #virtualexhibition #virtualart #guestcuratorseries #artistsforartistshtx #a44 #artistsupport #artistsoninstagram #nonprofit #houstonnonprofit #lesliemoodycastro #repose
I am honored to say that I am officially on @artle I am honored to say that I am officially on @artleaguehouston’s Artist Advisory Board! I have loved their focus on not just hosting great artist exhibitions and events, but on committing to community service, arts education and paying artists for their time and skills. They are W.A.G.E. certified. If you aren’t familiar with what that is, look up wageforwork.com. I love that I can give my time and support to such a great institution, especially when I have the opportunity to do it with a diverse, talented group of artists who I can’t wait to spend more time with over the next year or two. 🤩❤️
I finished editing all the photos so I threw all 9 I finished editing all the photos so I threw all 9 images together into a single animation to share with y’all! It feels good to finish this after months of work. I still have to give it a name. That’s my least favorite part of the process. It can completely shift how people interpret the art. If you want to learn more about this piece, please read some of my past posts.
On February 27th, 2020, President Trump, discussin On February 27th, 2020, President Trump, discussing COVID-19, said “One day - it’s like a miracle - it will disappear.” . I was struck by the arrogance and ignorance of this comment, but also its nebulosity. It will disappear one day and we will look back on this as a distant memory. It won’t disappear quickly though, and it will leave imprints on us that will never fully go away. This experience has permanently changed us. . After months of learning how to make soap, build molds, casting multiple batches, and spending 22 hours washing soap away, this piece is almost complete. I have to edit photos that I took throughout the process (this is just a cellphone photo) and find a way to preserve this linen tablecloth. The piece will exist as a group of photos exhibiting the progression of the dissolving soap in addition to the actual tablecloth. I’m currently trying to figure out the best way to preserve the tablecloth though so that it won’t mold over time. Any recommendations?
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