In Conversation with Gregory Siff

Photo by 2wenty

Gregory Siff is an LA-based artist whose exhibition Evidence of Life opened on February 28, 2020, at CASS Contemporary in Tampa, FL. Gregory’s works are included in collections such as the Santa Monica Museum of Art, Moscow Museum of Modern Art, and Soho House, New York. He has also been recognized in publications including the New York Times and Architectural Digest.

Written by Ty Bishop

Congratulations on your show Evidence of Life that opens on February 28th at CASS! Can you talk a little bit about your new body of work?

Thank you so much, Ty! Evidence of Life is the process of four weeks of straight painting and creating in Tampa in an artist residency with the CASS Contemporary. I am working on a lot of firsts for this show. This will be the first time I am painting circular works with 33 Tondos, all telling the story of my time spent in Tampa and the things that affected me. 

How's Tampa treating you? Is it nice to get out of LA for a little while?

Tampa is treating me with love already. I gave two lectures at the Tampa Museum Art and also at the University of Tampa. Including the senior critiques with the students who blew me away with their unique and strong voices in their work. It's inspiring to get out of LA for a little while and see how my hand creates in a completely unknown environment. 

For some artists, the location of where they're making the work has a significant impact on their work. Do you think this is true of your latest work?

Definitely. The location, the people I've met, the roads I walk, and the nature that Tampa breathes has left a permanent mark on myself and my work. Residencies are important because not only do they have an effect on the artist and the work, but on the community. The impact of residencies opens Other's eyes to the way of life that the artist is surrounded by.

I understand that you've been speaking at the Unversity of Tampa, among other places about artist residencies. Why are residencies so crucial for artists?

Yes! Probably some of my favorite moment from this trip was sharing my story with the students and the museum.

The reason residencies are so important is to deepen human connection and experience. To bring us closer by arriving in an unknown environment. They are not only important for the artist but for the community. Like travelers sharing stories, it's not only the meaning but how you tell it. It's important to connect in the real, not on the phone, but in a personal experience in the gallery or in the streets. There is a growing trend of residencies occurring, and I think that says something about human companionship. The outside energies of Tampa are present in this new body of work that I am unveiling. The more time you spend in front of a canvas, the more you learn about yourself. But I realize the more time you spend outside in new lands, the more you can recognize yourself in others.

Is being in the studio any different for you in Tampa than at home in LA?

In Tampa, I have been able to work 15 hour days in a gallery that has been set up like a studio. It's been wonderful staying up late hours listening to the rain hit the glass, feeling inspired with every person that passes through. The music food and environment has a open feel to it. I miss LA very muchBut this energy has created a body of work that will be strictly identifiable. I've worked on a new installation, the 3-D cube, where I've painted in 3-D red and blue with the assistance of rainbow die fraction 3-D glasses that will be given out to the guests who attend the show. 

You've had a lot of success in your career from being collected by major international collections, great press in the New York Times Juxtapoz, and Architectural Digest, and you've done a ton of collaborations included your handpainted shoes shown at the Whitney. How did you do all this?

By strengthening and loving my work ethic, creating something new every day, and being exhilarated and surprised is how I keep the ball rolling. The momentum that exists around constant work finds opportunities and puts out a smoke signal in the air where these magazines and collaborators are curious. I am grateful for the energy that's guiding me. The universe and I feel my father leading the way. That's what the show is all about evidence of life evidence that somebody up there loves me.