Elizabeth Libert
Elizabeth Libert is a fine art photographer who lives and works in Cambridge, MA. She received a BA in Fine Art from Amherst College, a post-baccalaureate certificate from SMFA, and a Masters in Fine Arts from the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Her photographs have been exhibited nationally and featured in various online and print publications such as the New York Times T Magazine, the New Yorker’s Photobooth, and Lenscratch. Some of her photo heroes include Sally Mann, Larry Sultan, David Hilliard, Francesca Woodman, Nan Goldin, Tina Barney, and Alessandra Sanguinetti. Currently, she serves on the board at the Griffin Museum of Photography and several local philanthropic committees. In her free time, she consumes indie movies, novels, and photo books. She also enjoys live rock, historic homes, fashion, jogs, and spending time with her family of boys.
Q&A
Red-Handed (from Passing Eden), Archival Pigment Print
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? One my earliest memories is a bookmaking assignment I had in the 3rd grade. I wrote and illustrated a story about a father who loved his daughter but was hurt and walked with a cane. His name was Mr. Backcane. At the time, my own dad was undergoing multiple spinal transfusions for his chronic back pain. I believe that was the first time I utilized art and storytelling as a therapeutic method to process and reflect upon my life.
When did art become a pursuit? I caught the “darkroom bug” in high school, and immediately became quite devoted. I completed a senior project that involved photography and video, and declared my major in fine art my freshman fall in college. My internships and jobs following college were at galleries and museums, and I applied for an MFA a few years after graduating college. In other words, I don’t clearly remember a time that I didn’t plan or envision a life in the arts, specifically photography.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? I was formally educated. That said, I continue to take workshops periodically to spark creativity, learn new techniques, gain feedback, and make connections.
Run (from Passing Eden), Archival Pigment Print
How did you first become involved with CAA? I recently became a member when I saw a couple fellow photographers that I admire feature work in CAA exhibitions. I am admittedly embarrassed it took me so long to find this community!
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? I recently joined the board at the Griffin Museum of Photography which I am quite excited about! I also try to follow and connect with local artists on Instagram, and enjoy heading to the ICP and MFA and other nearby institutions and galleries when I have a chance.
What role do you think the artist plays in society? I think an artist can play a variety of roles. Their work can generate thought and discussion, provide therapy, document and archive anything, encourage activism, and simply provide additional beauty to this world.
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? The camera has been my chosen tool to create art for a long time. I experimented with a variety of artistic mediums – painting, writing, video – but always come back or at least focus mainly on my photographic work. I don’t exactly know why, but I think it has a bit to do with my lack of patience…
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? My creative process probably looks a bit like a constellation – not linear or circular, but scattered with the intention to connect all the pieces. I will find that a conceptual idea comes to me while jogging about some recent memory that ties to images I took years ago. Then I might envision and plan out some new pictures to take in order to flush out the story. Then I reflect, adjust, and at some point, outline a more expansive, yet vague map. Then hone in on what is working and compile something ready enough to share with others. Seek guidance and critique, at which point the work really starts to evolve. Rinse, repeat. I aim to be organized, but really it’s a messy process. And I have to be honest, I am not sure I have ever formally finished a body of work!
How do you choose your subject matter? Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work? I find ideas from the immediate world around me – from my relationships, the environment of where I live, the books I read and TV or movies I watch. Artwork I find inspiring. A current body of work was initiated by a quote I saw on the wall at the Mount (Edith Wharton’s estate in Lenox, MA).
If I witness something that gives me the shivers, I often find ideas blooming shortly thereafter. I would say the most common, reoccurring theme in my work is a sense of longing – a pursuit for something more (I often think it’s intimacy).
What is one of your artistic goals? I would like to have my work acquired by museum collections – perhaps one at a college where it can be used to generate discussion and ideally inspire young minds.
What’s your favorite place to see art, and why? This is a hard question – I like seeing art in all kinds of venues! I think my favorite type of place is a small, well-curated museum. I can get over-stimulated when there is too much to see, and anxious with crowds. The deCordova is a wonderful place that has a great balance between the indoor galleries, outdoor sculptures, and stunning grounds. I also head to the ICA, Griffin Museum of Photography, and SOWA galleries fairly often. Finally, public and street art make me so happy.
What living artists are you inspired by? An abbreviated list: Sally Mann, David Hilliard, Nan Goldin, Alessandra Sanguinetti, Elinor Carucci, Gillian Laub, Tina Barney, Eric Fiscl, Maria Berrío…
Do you have any shows coming up? No shows as of now, but I am working on a book in which I expand on my current photography project, Passing Eden, by incorporating various forms of text and archival imagery. The book takes a psychological dive into personal histories and connects those experiences to the lens through which I observe my sons. It’s been a challenging trek – painful at times but also invigorating and enlightening. The goal is to have it published by the end of 2022, and to also plan coordinating exhibitions. Fingers crossed!
See more from Elizabeth
Website:www.elizabethclarklibert.com
Instagram: @zardslens