In Good Company: Michelle Wasson

An ongoing series of short interviews with artists that we work with or admire called “In Good Company.” Answers are lightly edited for length and clarity.

Location: Chicago, IL

Hometown: Arlington Heights, IL

Degrees: MFA, Washington University, St. Louis, MO; BFA, University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana

Favorite Color: Periwinkle Blue

Hobbies or Personal Collections: I have a massive case of wanderlust. Place plays an important role in my practice, both in subject matter and process. If I’m not on a trip, I’m usually planning one. 

As a child, did you know you wanted to be an artist? If not, what did you want to be?

I didn’t know Artist was a practical option, so I slowly worked my way here via Interior Design, Art Education, Professor, and then finally Artist.  

Have you had any jobs outside of the art world? If so, how have those jobs informed your work as an artist? 

I worked in frame shops through high school and college where I learned craftsmanship and patience. Before graduate school, I sold furniture and gained an appreciation for design and materials like fine fabric and exotic wood. I also developed the ability to understand how other people may see the world and to organize spaces for just the right experience. These jobs laid the groundwork for my painting-centered installations that incorporate iconic modern furniture, wall treatments, and original custom lamps.

What is your favorite non-art object in your studio right now? Why do you have it?

I have a collection of Architectural Digest (AD) magazines dating back to the 1970s. I keep them in my home studio because the earliest issues were a gift from my dad who curb mined them from our next-door neighbor. It was in the pages of AD that I discovered the power of art objects by observing the way artwork activates and enriches domestic space. The magazine also scratches a voyeuristic itch to peek inside celebrity homes. I visually file and recall specific details of certain people’s homes–imagining them as they wrote a certain song, rehearsed scripts, or hosted who’s who parties.

What has been a defining moment of your artistic career so far?

In 2016, Anna Kunz and I transformed my long-time studio on Albany Avenue in Garfield Park into the artist-run exhibition space Tiger Strikes Asteroid (TSA) Chicago. It was fulfilling to see the space that I had outgrown be activated for building community and providing emerging and established artists with exhibition opportunities. Now in its fifth year under the watchful eye of Director Holly Cahill, TSA Chicago has hosted more than 30 exhibitions, created national and international collaborations, and adapted to include residency programming during the pandemic.

How do you measure your own success in the art world?

I am most successful when in dialogue with artists of all ages and stages. Staying in touch with former students, colleagues, and faculty keeps me energized. 

If you were placing artwork in an office, what artists would you be most excited to work with?

An ideal workspace is not neutral but contains artwork with a strong point of view.  Of course, it’s nice to see paintings, photographs, and prints, but why not textiles, accessories, and scents?  I greatly admire Rosalyn Schwartz, Molly Zuckerman-Hartung, and Matt Morris for their commitment to risk-taking, play, and the restless materiality that drives their practices. We would have such a great time.  

To see more of Michelle Wasson’s work, check out her website or Instagram.