with Amelia Briggs

Nashville artist Amelia Briggs talked to us about 90’s toys, upcoming exhibitions and her pool float-esque sculptures. Enjoy!

How would you describe your current work? Have you ever explored other styles/mediums of art?

I refer to my current work as "inflatables" because they remind me of pool floats and inflatable toys. This work is very much about sculpture. A few years ago my interest shifted away from 2D painting and towards a desire to treat the canvas as an object which led me to my current body of work.

If you weren’t an artist, what job do you think you would have?

I'm not sure but I love fashion and graphic design. I would like to think that I would have worked in some sort of design field, maybe something to do with marketing.

Who/What inspires your work currently?

My work all comes from an interest in childhood history. The colors, shapes and materials I use stem from memories, toys, coloring books and discarded objects. I try to capture a feeling of vague familiarity -- the sense of something rediscovered or remembered.

What are your favorite things to watch or search for on YouTube/Reddit/TV/Movies...?

I often look at vintage/90's toys and children's books online. I find small women owned fashion brands incredibly inspirational and am often looking for unique brands who seem to be moving things forward in interesting and unexpected ways.

What do you have going on in 2019?

Well, I'm participating in a textile residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in May. I have a two person show with Ellen Dempsey at an experimental space in July, then a solo exhibition at Belmont University December-January. A few other things are in the works but nothing else is set in stone.