Today we’d like to introduce you to Zoe Gunter
Hi Zoe, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always been creative and my art has evolved but I realized my passion when I learned about fiber arts in high school. At my high school, people found my art odd, art that wasn’t traditional like painting, drawing, film, or photography. Although I enjoyed experimenting with those mediums, I wasn’t passionate about them like I was when exploring fiber arts. I started crocheting when I was 17 and I’ve been using that, along with other things, in my artistic practice. When applying for college, I thought about my future and what I would want to do with my life and the only thing I was truly passionate about was art. I’m currently working towards a bachelor’s in studio arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with a focus on fiber & material studies! Going into my third year, I have a good idea of what my practice is and what future projects I want to pursue. Along with art school, I post about my side projects on Instagram to be more involved in the online fiber art community!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’m still young and the road is still very much ahead of me, but as of right now, it’s been a pretty smooth road. It is a struggle to be an upcoming artist when many people don’t care for the type of art I’m making, but I won’t change my practice for other people’s enjoyment. I know that the people who find my art will enjoy it as much as I do when making it. The biggest struggle for me is marketing myself. I do a bit of marketing on Instagram when making crochet patterns and selling physical items on my Etsy. But building up a following and marketing my art is something I’ve always struggled with. I’m confident in myself and my art, but when it comes to convincing others to believe in my future as an artist, I still find that terrifying. But going to art school in Chicago helps me make connections and put myself out there while surrounded by other young artists and professors in the Chicago community.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My practice is mainly fiber art and I do a lot of crocheting, knitting, sewing, quilting, embroidery, and dying materials. As for materials, I work with a lot of yarn, fabric, ribbon, and thrifted items. In my art, I have strong messages through text, subject matter, and material choice. Most of the art I make is conceptual art except for my side projects (crochet/knit accessories, clothes, small tapestries) which I make to relieve stress or take breaks from my bigger projects. But I find my side projects equally as important as my bigger projects because I love crocheting/knitting clothes and other small things for myself and others!
I used to be known as the girl who prioritized art at a school that prioritized STEM, but now that I go to an art school, I’m more known for experimenting and combining fiber techniques in one work. And online, I’m known for the crochet/knit things I make in my free time!
I’m most proud of how far I’ve come since I first discovered fiber arts!! As a kid, I always enjoyed hand sewing and playing with soft materials like fabric and felt. But it wasn’t until I started crocheting that I fully realized how important fiber arts was to me! Now, I’m confident in my art and what I do, unlike in high school when I would hide my yarn outside of the art classroom, now I’m able to make art whenever and wherever I want! My conceptual art has grown a lot since high school as well. I have a much better understanding of what kinds of themes I want to explore in my art. One of the biggest things I do with my art is actively challenging the way people view fiber arts. After learning about the stereotypes attached to fiber arts, I knew I needed to do something about it through my art.
As an artist, I see the world differently than most people. Where someone could see just a regular piece of art hanging on the wall, I see how it was made, what materials the artist used, think about how it probably took a while to make, and walk away inspired. What sets me apart from others is my drive and passion for my art practice. I’m always making something, whether it be a small side project in my free time, a big project for a class, or both! I see similarities in my art and others’ art visually and material wise, but there’s always meaning behind my art and every little detail (color choice, text, material, technique) is well thought out and intentional.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I find networking scary, but no one’s going to know who I am in such a big city unless I put myself out there! Some things that have worked for me are being active on job/volunteer/other opportunity websites, going to events, and reaching out to other artists. I think going to events in your community would be the most important thing to do. There’s likely always something going on if you just do a little googling! For me, I go to yarn events and art exhibitions frequently to meet new people and see new art! Always be aware of the people around you and also do some research on others in your area! I’m always researching new artists on social media or through my school’s lecture series. I also go to Chicago’s art museums often to see new work and discover new artists. Being aware of the popular people in your community and learning their stories is always inspiring and it’s good to be knowledgeable.
Talking to people is also important, you never know when some opportunity is going to happen or if someone’s interested in you unless you talk to people! Talk to everyone, especially teachers, they usually have someone they could connect you with. People who have been in your field longer are also very helpful, if you can connect with others because you’re passionate about the same things, they can likely give you advice! And if talking in person isn’t your thing, reaching out to people on Instagram, LinkedIn, or through email can also be good. But if you’re searching for a mentor, as a student I think the best route is to find teachers you like as people and you share similar passions with. For me, I enjoy talking to teachers with similar artistic practices as me since they have much more experience in the art world. Also if you can, keep in touch with teachers you really like, even if it’s just following them on social media.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zoe-gunter.webflow.io/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crochetedthingsbyzoe
- Other: https://linktr.ee/zoegunter
