1xRUN Thru Interview
Hecksagon by Kristin Farr
1xRun: Tell us a little bit about this piece, is the original still for sale ?
Kristin Farr: The original is hanging in a museum in San Francisco until next month. It’s part of a large installation I made in collaboration with my husband, and as I was painting this particular series of Hecksagons I was hoping one could become my first print.
1xRun: Was this piece part of a recent theme, series or show that you had?
Kristin Farr: Yes, it’s part of my first series of Hecksagons on wood. This one is particularly special because it’s made with only three colors and has a somewhat nautical theme.
1xRUN: What materials did you use to create this piece?
Kristin Farr: Acryla-Gouache on wood.
1xRun: When was the piece created?
Kristin Farr: Around July 2014.
1xRun: Anything immediate you would like us to highlight?
Kristin Farr: I try to infuse positive vibes and energy into my paintings that I hope will radiate out to the people who look at them. If you have one in your home, it will probably bring you tons of good luck and happiness.
1xRun: Tell us how the idea and execution came about?
Kristin Farr: I have been painting these Hecksagons obsessively for three years. I can’t stop.
I’ve been into rainbow geometry for a while, but these hexagons came about when I was studying up on some family history related to Pennsylvania Dutch folk art. People painted “hex signs” on their barns for decoration, but these star-shaped designs were also used for folk magic in other ways, but more secretly. It’s a fascinating tradition and since it’s in my blood, it feels right to paint them in a new, re-contextualized way. Each one is unique, like a snowflake but better.
1xRun: How long did the piece take?
Kristin Farr: A day or two of hard work.
1xRun: What is unique about this piece?
Kristin Farr: It’s only three colors, which is unusual for me, but perfect for a screen print! It has nautical colors so it represents water and boats, which I like, but it’s also a hecksagon inspired by folk art, quilts and barn stars, so it has a couple layers of nice vibes. It’s also a traditional, sacred geometric design that might feel familiar because it dates back to dinosaur times.
1xRun: Why should people buy this piece?
Kristin Farr: The aforementioned good vibes and happiness it will bring to anyone who owns it.
1xRun: Describe the piece in one gut reaction word.
Kristin Farr: Duuuude.
1xRun: When did you first start making art?
Kristin Farr: When I was really little. As long as I can remember, I’ve been into arts and crafts.
1xRun: What artists inspired you early on?
Kristin Farr: Barry McGee, Chris Johanson, Alicia McCarthy, Jeff Koons (shown below), Basquait, Andy Warhol, Cindy Sherman, Jenny Holzer, too many to name.
1xRun: What was your first piece?
Kristin Farr: I don’t remember. Probably crayons on the wall.
1xRun: What artists inspire you now?
Kristin Farr: Clare Rojas (shown below), Margaret Kilgallen, Olek, Jen Stark, my husband Jeff Meadows, and so many more. I interview artists for Juxtapoz and every single one of them is inspiring in some way.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any living artist who would it be and why?
Kristin Farr: I just did a rad collaborative installation with my husband and that was fun and convenient because we could work on it in our garage, so I hope we can do another one.
1xRun: Do you listen to music while you work?
Kristin Farr: It’s pretty embarrassing but I often listen to terrible reality TV as if it’s a dramatic radio show, since I’m not really watching because I’m painting. Or I listen to some excellent lady rap, but then sometimes I start dancing and mess up my paint lines.
1xRun: If you could collaborate with any deceased artists who would it be?
Kristin Farr: Margaret Kilgallen (shown below), Shawn Whisenant, Sol Lewitt, Andy Warhol, and maybe an original Fancy Dutch hex sign painter.
1xRun: What was the first piece of art that you bought?
Kristin Farr: Man, I have no idea! I always buy affordable art. I can tell you that I own a gold porcelain burrito that was a pretty serious impulse buy.
1xRun: What was the last piece of art that you bought?
Kristin Farr: A print by Eugenia Loli who makes crazy collages. And before that I bought prints by Madsteez and Insa from you guys!
1xRun: Any big shows or events coming up that you’d like to share?
Kristin Farr: I am lucky to be releasing my very first print with 1xRun! Some other upcoming things I’m doing are painting a mural with Pow!Wow! in Hawaii in November, and painting a public sculpture that will be unveiled in December. I also just released a line of backpacks and leggings covered in my paintings at Rare.Skyou.
1xRun: Where can we find you?
Kristin Farr: Instagram + Twitter @kristinfarr
-1xRUN