Olivia Springberg

How did you get into making art?

I have been making art for as long as I can remember. I am very fortunate to have the support and encouragement from my family to pursue art classes outside of school growing up and to be involved in arts communities in my hometown.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently working on some new pieces that are more figurative on shaped canvases I built. I have recently been looking at dancers for reference as I’m very drawn to unconventional movement and interaction between bodies, or objects that feel like an extension of the body, like kites and clotheslines and puppets.

What inspired you to get started on this body of work?

It initially began as one or two paintings specifically for an upcoming show, but the idea branched out into a series of pieces. I have been trying to draw more and doing so has allowed me to expand on specific subjects and keep building onto older compositions.

Do you work on distinct projects or do you take a broader approach to your practice?

I definitely do both. Some ideas feel fleshed out in just one piece, while others repeat in different iterations. However, I feel that all my work is woven within the same web. I always think about the dissection or fragmentation of space when putting together a composition, and about keeping things in motion, forming and fleeting, pushing and pulling, expanding and collapsing.

What’s a typical day like in your studio?

Expensive latte, contemplate the paintings, paint, more contemplation, then more painting, then I usually end the day with more contemplation.

Who are your favorite artists?

Maja Ruznic, Talia Levitt, Paul Klee, Mark Podwal, Theo Tobiasse, Man Ray

Where do you go to discover new artists?

MoMA, the Met, local galleries. The best part of living in New York is having access to so many great museums and art galleries.