Interview with Steven Meek

ART, WHATEVER IT TAKES

Since the early pandemic in 2020, Rome Art Program has conducted a series of interviews, “Art, Whatever It Takes.”
Artists, Art Critics, and Art Historians living in Italy, the U.S., and U.K., share their insights during these powerful times.

Born in Dallas, Texas in 1969, Steven received his M.F.A. from Yale University School of Art in 1994. At Yale, he worked closely with the late Andrew Forge and the late William Bailey, along with Mel Bochner, John Walker, Frances Barth, among others. He has lived and worked in Rome, Italy for nearly 30 years. Steven has exhibited in both Europe and the US, where his paintings are included in many collections on both continents.

RAP: Where do you live? And what is your background?

Steven Meek: Since 1995 I’ve been living in Rome. I was born in Dallas, Texas received my BFA from Texas Wesleyan University and my MFA from Yale School of Art.

RAP: In your opinion is there a “creative method”?

Steven: If creative method implies a way in which you normally approach a work of art, I try to stay away from a redundant creative method.

RAP: The “lock down moment” can set you on the path of some important change(s) in your creativity and style… Has this happened to you?

Steven: I’m fortunate to have my studio very close to my home and have worked daily during the lock down. I have been effected, as we all have, by this enormous tragedy. During these days my work has taken a gloomier aspect, but the writing in the paintings has strangely been optimistic. I’m enjoying this contradiction.

RAP: What normally inspires you? Which is the most important inspirational source you have found in Rome?

Steven: Caravaggio’s masterpieces that can be seen for free in the many churches. I find inspiration in the walls and buildings in Rome; decaying, paint peeled off, cracks, the weeds growing between the building and the sidewalk.

RAP: Is there a difference in working in Rome for an artist? What art medium do you prefer to work in?

Steven: I think so, not only because it is the most beautiful city in the world, it has a timelessness that in a unique way converses with artist. At this moment I’m working for the first time only in acrylic paint, I still have a lot to learn on handling the medium. It does have a lot of advantages and am finding ways to apply it that looks less plastic.

RAP: Specific events and historical conditions have a significant role in the creative process; how does this pandemic emergency affect the Arts?

Steven: It will have lasting ramifications in every aspect of our lives. The arts will be probably overlooked as other needs seem greater. I strongly feel the arts can help explain, console, distract and hopefully help us to heal from this.

RAP: How are you feeling at this difficult moment and what made you feel this way? …are you optimistic for the future?

Steven: The longer this goes on the harder it will be to go back to any sense of normalcy. I am not feeling optimistic nor strangely pessimistic, there is still a feeling of shock that something like this has happened. We are fortunate that a vaccine will be found just we have to live with this virus for a year, hopefully.

RAP: What can Art contribute to history? Will Art save us?

Steven: Art is the vehicle that explain ourselves it is not something apart from us. We can’t exist without it.

RAP: What is your most ambitious dream?

Steven: After this virus is defeated my dream would be to see the earth continue to heal, it has given me joy to breath smogless air in Rome, see wildlife invade city parks, Venice has seen dolphins and swans swimming in the canals crystal clear water.

RAP: Which is your favorite Italian, or Roman, place(s) of art (Museum, Gallery, Monument…)?

Steven: I like them all, Galleria Spada is a gem off the beaten path.

RAP: Which period of Italian Art do you prefer?

Steven: My favorite period would be the early renaissance which is unsurpassable in my option.

RAP: How has Rome personally influenced you as an artist and a person?

Steven: At this moment because of the lock down, I would do anything to be able to move around Rome freely, to see the monuments with people and noise. I am getting to see almost daily the pyramid that was built 80bc, I not sure how much influence it has on my work, but as a person the sight of this pyramid gives me enormous enormous hope and perspective.

RAP: What’s your goal? What role does the artist have in society? Any final thoughts and advice?

Steven: I’m concerned to surpass this moment with health and sanity intact. With this virus globalization has reached an end, de-globalization will be with few perks yet the arts will be something that always will bind us to one another this is our fundamental role in society.

#smeek69