Carol Paik
Carol Paik is an artist and writer based in New York, splitting her time between New York City and Pound Ridge. Carol grew up in Sudbury, Massachusetts. She received a BA in Social Studies from Harvard College, and a JD and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction from Columbia University. She has been a number of different things in her life, including litigator, stay-at-home mom, essayist, playwright, editor, 3-time NYC marathon-finisher, and hand model (once). She discovered her love of art-making relatively late, and is trying hard to catch up. She is interested in many different media, but most enjoys working with repurposed textiles. After years of buying expensive and often toxic materials for her work, her goal now is to create art exclusively out of the unappreciated, overlooked, landfill-destined stuff she finds around her, of which there is a great abundance.
Sculpture from “Cairns” series
PP: Walk us through a typical day in your studio or generally through your process to make new work.
CP: I wish I had a typical day, but I really don’t! I split my time between NYC and my home in Westchester, which is where I have my studio. Ideally, when I can be in the studio with access to all my supplies, I spend my time playing with materials in order to come up with a project that I can transport to the city, where I have less space. These days, however, it seems I often have an approaching deadline, so I’m usually in panic mode hurrying to finish something and don’t have a lot of time to experiment.
Widening Gyre, 115"x70" (from Tapestries series)
PP: What motivates you to make art?
CP: Often, I’m motivated by my materials. I have boxes full of old textiles, and if I need inspiration to start something new, simply going through my stash will usually provide it. I am often inspired to make art because I’ve seen someone else’s work that I love that triggers an idea. In a more general sense, I’m motivated to make art because I am just happier when I’m making things.
PP: What is one goal you are aiming to achieve this year for your art practice?
CP: My main goal recently has been to get organized! In every way. Most obviously, I need my workspace to be better organized, but I also need my time to be better organized. Clearing both physical and emotional space will, I hope, make room for greater productivity and, ultimately, creativity.
In My Dream It Wasn't Round (from Tapestries series)
PP: Is community something you value in your practice? Why or why not?
CP: I value community a great deal. Not so much when I’m starting out making something: I enjoy collaboration if I can have my own piece of a project, but in general I like to have sole control over my work. However, once the initial work is done, then community is essential: for support, feedback, and opportunities. I’ve often had the experience where a friend has pointed out something to me that I would never have seen on my own, or involved me in something larger than myself.
Dioscuri, 83"x56"
Where the Heart Should Be, 37"x27"
PP: What is your favorite medium and why?
CP: My favorite medium is repurposed textiles. I am drawn to the physical qualities of fabric, its textures and colors. I’m also intrigued by its history, both the history of textiles generally, and the history of individual items of clothing as well. Fabric evokes so many emotions, it can serve so many functions, it passes through so many hands. And I like the idea that I’m keeping at least a few things out of some landfill or the ocean, at least temporarily. I’m well aware that my efforts don’t amount to much in the grand scheme, but I still like to think I’m helping, even in some tiny way.
To learn more about Carol’s work, see her instagram and website.