April creates characters for us by combining unlikely combinations, resulting in a common link that is often strange or witty. She takes advantage of beautifully sparse, unusual layouts which make the pieces quirky and fun to look at (which means my thumbnails all look funny). I like that she combines vintage photographs with drawn lines and shapes, it gives her work real graphic interest.
Name (Real or Screename): april gertler
URL (Blog, Website): www.aprilgertler.com, www.aprilgertler.blogspot.com,
www.38-avg.blogspot.com
Location (Where are you from?): I am from California, but I now live in Berlin, Germany.
Q: Describe your work in 10 words or less.
A: It is a re-contextulization of collective memory through the use of found elements.
Q: What do you like to work with (magazines, photographs, vintage)? Be specific!
A: Found photographs (the found photographs are roughly from 1910's to the 1980's) and my own photographs, tape, thread, wrappers, magazine cut outs, paper garbage that I find on the street, paint, and book covers.
Q: How long have you been creating collages and what made you start?
A: I started working in the medium of collage about 14 years ago. I was in art school at the California College of the Arts in Oakland, in the photography department and I didn't have money for paper or film. So I started using other people's photographs instead. I have been working on and off in collage since then.
Q: Are you solely an artist, or do you work in another profession?
A: I work half of the week doing cultural training for large companies here in Berlin and the rest of the time I am in my studio.
Q: Do you have any formal art training?
A: Yes. I went to CCA, and got a BFA in Photography and then got my MFA in Photography at Bard College.
Q: Explain your favourite techniques.
A: I am not sure I have a favorite technique persay. I repeat myself with various techniques; for example I use diagonal lines a lot in my work—both drawn and sewn. I also reorient landscapes quite often.
Q: Describe your favourite piece ever created.
A: I am still waiting to make my favorite piece. There are elements of some works that I really like, but I never feel quite satisfied. Maybe that is why I keep working in this medium.
Q: What other artists do you admire?
A: Hannah Höch, Annette Message, Tino Sehgal, John Bock, Sarah Sze, Paul Chan.
Thanks April!