Artist's Statement

UNPARALLELED

“This inaugural collection of composition pieces was born of desperation. A cathartic storytelling exercise that connected me back to the practice of making art for art’s sake. My decision to not make any prints or replicate these pieces in anyway serves two purposes. They are to exist in their original form as 1 of 1. In that in leaving my possession all that was worked through in the tedious orchestration of these composites will be released from me, going out in the world and serving wherever they are destined to be. The operational purpose is to illustrate one of the overarching concepts behind Joy Studio, the sustainability piece. All of the frames, down to the paper backing on them, and the single magazine of content, are reclaimed materials to the most full extent possible. Expanded on further in the vision statement, the skinny on Joy Studio is sustainably conscious execution of art and décor as a vehicle for my soul to live in, outside of the pressure of career and academia.

UNPARALLELED was born as a hurricane came for me. A stack of design magazines had found refuge on my kitchen island. Nothing left, but waiting for the storm to wash in- I grabbed one, dramatically ripped the cover off, and started snipping pieces that inspired me. As my hands were occupied my brain was flooded with visions of what this collection became. That night I wrote down future collection concepts, piece titles, collaborations, launch dates and times, and researched website builders and business legalities. Following the initial downpour of inspiration I spent a great deal of time terrified again, keeping myself distracted with gusts of practical but mostly meaningless productivity in between moments of letting the brown water fill my chest. Whenever I found an eye to rest in, I returned to the same magazine from that night to create this capsule.

Ultimately, this collection represents the beginning of Joy Studio, whose ideas are far larger and lighter than these pieces carry. If I waited until I had the resources for every big idea, I’d never begin. Miraculously, through loving support and stubbornness, welcome to the beginning.

Thank you so very much for being here.” - Amanda Joy