Artist based in New York, NY
Lucy Reback, portrait of the photographer
Tell us about yourself, what's your background?
For a long time I rejected the idea of being an artist in any capacity. As a child, I claimed to want to be an environmental lawyer, although, there was never any truth to that. I was surrounded by artists growing up; my mother a ceramicist and my father a carpenter and musician. Not to mention the company they kept; painters, poets and photographers. I watched first hand how hard it was to pursue a career in the arts, not only financially but also how taxing it is on the psyche to navigate the art world. I watched and I decided, very young, that it sounded like a more tranquil life to go into environmental law.
'Teeth' , April 2024
During my undergraduate education at Bard College, I took a large format view camera class. It was in this class, with this camera that I learned not only how to look. I fell for, obsessed, infatuated with that ground glass. If I'm speaking candidly, I often wonder if I would have ever pursued photography had I not been set up on a date with that camera.
"I’m not a religious person, or a florist, but I was struck deeply by the imagery of the little flower's mythical origin story . . . I spent time working on reimaging these biblical stories behind flowers; their origins and their aftermaths. Reimaging these stories through a distinctly female lens."
'Triplets', 2022, 4x5 Negative Digitally Scanned
What are you currently working on and where did the inspiration for it come from?
A few weeks ago, I read a story about the origin of the snowdrop. When Adam and Eve were cast from the Garden of Eden, Eve looked around at her new world and startled by its ugliness she began to weep. Where her teardrops landed a small white flower emerged from the earth and bloomed: a snowdrop. I’m not a religious person, or a florist, but I was struck deeply by the imagery of the little flower's mythical origin story.
'Tulip' , May 2024
I recently returned from the Image Text Residency at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. I spent time working on a project that reimages these biblical stories behind flowers; their origins and their aftermaths. Reimaging these stories through a distinctly female lens. As it currently stands the project is in its incubation stages, existing mostly as written passages and research.
Innovation does not only happen in the field of technology — it occurs everyday in a creative practice. What do you do for inspiration?
My most consistent source of inspiration for me comes from Renaissance, Barque, and 18th century religious iconography. The exaggerated shapes of the bodies, the furrowed brows, the gestures of hands; mixed with this sense of magical realism, are qualities that I’m consistently trying to utilize in my own work.If only I could paint, then I’d throw photography to the wind!
'Neck Deep' , August 2023
How do you make your work, does it start with a sketch?
My work, and conversely, my practice feel very traditional in the sense that the vast majority of my images existed before the camera was introduced to the scene. In this way, I am looking for images in my world as opposed to creating them. Two curly blondes, engaged in conversation underneath the fluorescent porch light of my mothers house. Here, the image was presented to me. From there, there’s minor tweeks; pulling strands of hair away from their face, directing their gaze towards the lens.
'Tattoos' , April 2024
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?
My mother preaches that art is 2% inspiration and 98% perspiration. Many times through my photographic career I've found inspiration through the physicality of shooting; through putting myself in new spaces, watching new faces and bodies meander our shared world. I think this idea of inspiration, and the search for inspiration (especially when you don’t have it), while integral, can also stifle the act of creation.
'Key' 2002, 4x5 Negative Digitally Scanned
What is the best advice you would give to other artists?
It’s important to be eloquent and competent, in your medium. When I finally felt fluent in the language and methodology of photography was when my practice began to feel natural. Practice until you get to a point where you can load film with your eyes closed and estimate exposure by just looking. This sentiment makes the physical labor of photography comfortable which allows you to shoot more, read more, write more, and think about the work itself more; instead of being hung up on logistics. Like a language, or a bike, these are skills that will never go away so the sooner you refine them the better. I wish I had some spiritually fulfilling advice to say!
Portrait of Innovate Grant Honorable Mention Lucy Reback
Stay up to date with Lucy Reback
Website lucyreback.com
Instagram @lucyrebackk