This episode of the podcast features a conversation with radical visual artist and printmaker Aimee Joyaux who runs Cornmeal Press in Petersburg, Virginia. We recorded this conversation when I visited Aimee in October 2018, before doing a multi-week printmaking residency in her studios. I met Aimee while doing an immersive eight-week artist book, printmaking and papermaking workshop at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina a few springs ago.
Aimee Joyaux
In this conversation with Aimee, we talk about:
how Aimee and her partner Alain came across the building they renovated in Petersburg by hand using materials they found at auctions, demo sites and junk sales
a little history of Petersburg, Virginia as one of the oldest free black settlements in the so-called U.S. and how it fell into extreme economic decline historically. (I talk more about this as well as discuss the history of native settlements here in episodes #5 with Ryan Pierce and #6 with Tilke Elkins)
how Aimee uses her art practice to react to and process racism and privilege in the south
navigating race politics in Virginia
a critique of capitalism
Aimee's various art projects including 'City Lots,' 'The Smile Project,' and 'The Box Project'
how art is under-appreciated in American culture
using your best materials now because life is short and fleeting
Aimee's thoughts on copying vs. inspiration in art
Links:
Aimee's website with photos of and writings on her various projects we discuss: http://www.aimeejoyaux.com/
Aimee's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeejoyaux/
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Theme music: 'Sweat and Splinters' by Mother Marrow
Additional music: 'Ghost Waltz' from On Oak and Pine, released October 18, 2007
Christopher Buckingham - Guitars
Brenna Sahatjian - Cello
Produced by: Opia Creative
