Artist Silent Fox, who works out of the Public Functionary spaces in the Northrup King Building in Northeast, answers questions about their perseverance through the “ups and downs” of an artistic life, the meaning (or meaninglessness) of “success” and the power of art to tell stories.
Thinking about the course of your creative life, were there ever moments where you felt discouraged or unsure about moving forward as an artist? Who were the people around you who encouraged you and supported you?
I think before anyone you have to learn to be your biggest fan and support system. If you can’t believe in yourself, how are you expected to believe the ones that encourage you and your work? Including myself, some people that encouraged me were my friends and family. Siblings, parents, and close friends have always shown a level of encouragement and support that drives me to continue my art journey through the highs and lows.
How do you define what it means to be “successful” in art and in life? Has your definition evolved over time, if so, how?
Although there is a collective understanding of what something is or what a word means, I find how you value a word more important than definition. Google says the meaning of success is accomplishing an aim or purpose as well as having achieved popularity, profit, or distinction. For my art practice and in life I don’t value the word success or successful therefore it really means nothing to me. Would someone say I am a successful artist based on Google’s definition? Yes, but to follow up that question, why does that matter? Does that impact how I show up as an artist and connect with others? The word success doesn’t align with my reason or purpose as an artist. I use art as a way to express and connect with the community. This has been how I define many things in my life since I was young and my definition has not changed much yet, but maybe one day.
How long have you been working with Public Functionary? How do you feel that this community of creatives has impacted your own artistry and growth?
In 2020 I joined the studio program under Public Functionary ( https://publicfunctionary.org/ ). My main purpose was to build connections and friendships with other creatives like myself. As time went on the community continued to grow and has impacted my own artistry and growth. Being a part of it has given me opportunities to develop connections, create conversations, collaborate with others and reflect on the art I am creating. Public Functionary believes in supporting the expression of art and culture through a curated exhibition and performance program and a studio program for early career artists. It is designed to pour into an abundant community of practice, where possibility is seen in relationship to each other. I am honored as an artist to experience this community first hand.
Can you name two Northeast artists, working in any medium, who you admire and think should be on more people’s radar?
Two Northeast artists I admire and think should be on more people’s radar are Avery Weiler (https://www.instagram.com/relativelyyourself/ ) and Maiya Lea Hartman ( https://maiyaleaartist.com/ ).
Flava Cafe is a fantastic black owned and community driven coffee shop in Saint Paul (https://www.flavacafe.org/home) and they feature your art on some of their merchandise. How did you connect with this social enterprise business? In what ways do you feel that a creative ecosystem is essential to not only art, but also community healing/building?
Back in 2021/2022 I collaborated with Flava Cafe to create illustrations that visually represented the community and vision of Shaunie (founder of Flava Cafe.) With many of my projects I look at them as a collaboration between community members. A lot of my projects that I work on are through word of mouth connections. When creating any visual art or graphic design my goal is to connect, develop a relationship, collaborate and bring the vision to life in a visual space. I find art essential for both healing and building. It is a way to communicate and share thoughts with one another that can help release out into the world and express a variety of topics that include healing, reflections, stories, etc. … Art creates opportunities for people to come together to build on ideas, change, and overall community care.
Your YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@silentfox.studio) gives viewers a window into your studio practice as well as offering fun/relaxing musical playlists accompanied by live digital drawing/painting. What are your intentions for your channel?
When starting my YouTube channel [it] was designed to help find ways to connect with others in a different form. As a socially anxious person I find value in finding multiple ways to connect with others that aren’t overwhelmingly draining. Overtime I began to view my channel as a time capsule that holds both my thoughts as an artist and art process for future generations. As I continue to create I hope to encourage folks to find time for playfulness and creativity. I hope when watching my channel it gives people energy to explore their creative side and share it with others.
What projects are you currently working on (you mentioned being busy with a mural) and when will the public be able to engage with them?
As of now I am working on a multitude of projects. I am currently working on murals within the Twin Cities
( https://www.creativesaftercurfew.com/), art pieces for group shows, and finding new ways to connect with the community. Recently I have been learning how to stream on social media. My hope is to show more of my process and also allow anyone to offer conversation and connection with community.
Connect with Silent Fox on social media: Instagram, YouTube, and Twitch