Interview with Floyd Gibson

Good morning! Over the weekend I had the pleasure of interviewing Floyd Gibson. His exhibition I’m Every Woman: Fashion of the Ages is on view here at the Center through Saturday, October 29th.

Want to learn more about I’m Every Woman? Join me this Wednesday, October 5th at 7pm for Floyd’s artist talk. Model, and collaborator, Rebecca Holtz will be present to discuss what it was like researching and portraying women’s fashions from the 1920’s through the 1970’s. In the meantime, check out the interview below:

1920s Casual Wear
 

Megan Charland: Wow! We had such a great turn-out at your opening reception last month – what was it like for you as a first-time exhibiting artist to share your photographs with so many people?

Floyd Gibson: I was absolutely “blown away” by the opening turnout. I’m happy I decided, reluctantly, to show this work after speaking with you and feeling the project was worthy. I knew that the work told a story but was really surprised at the interest shown by the community.

MC: In your artist statement you say this project was inspired by watching old movies on the Turner Classic Movie channel. Is there a particular time period that you favor? A favorite movie from that period?

FG: I watch many movies on Turner Classic Movies channel but I’d say that gangster movies are my favorite genre, and I favor the films from the 1930’s right through the godfather series. I enjoy them all & if I had to pick one, it would be Godfather I.

MC: This project took you a little over a year to complete – do you prefer these long-term projects or was this a challenge?

FG: I simply enjoy photography & don’t necessarily think in terms of time. I do however prefer telling a story & when it ends, it ends. Obviously with this project the time is not defined but the timeline is.

MC: So, what’s next? Are you currently working on another body of work? Will it be another long-term project?

FG: I am working on another project that will involve many people & will take some time but not nearly as long as this one. One of the benefits of producing this work is that I learned a lot about myself and processes that I can apply going forward.