Meet Steve Gibson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Gibson.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was born and raised in San Diego. I have lived here most of my 72 years. My early education was unremarkable since I was not a particularly good student. I attended community college here in the early 60’s and transferred to San Diego State College in 1965 where I immediately dropped out. Fortunately, my earlier experience getting injured on motor cycles eliminated my draft status.

After working on ocean going tug boats towing barges around the world for a couple of years I settled in Australia for a year or so. During this time I became an avid reader of existential literature and I convinced myself I should return to college and my family in San Diego.

I was a ravenous consumer of education and was on the deans list for the balance of my time earning my B.A. in art. I continued my education at SDSU earning my M.A. in printmaking and drawing. I was fortunate enough to get a job at Cal State University Northridge for a year before I continued on to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago where I taught and received my M.F.A.

Teaching was the goal but tenured jobs were almost as scarce then as now. I decided I would take a job in sales and marketing with a fine paper company where my effort would enable me to have flexible hours and a much larger pay check that I could have ever had in teaching. This was my next 20 years until I retired. For the past 25 years I have been a studio artist here in San Diego.

Please tell us about your art.
My work is an exercise in enigmatic associations and collective stream of consciousness. I deconstruct and reconstruct iconographic relationships as I draw on historical and contemporary visual references. This non linear narrative is developed to show relational ambiguities as the images are juxtaposed with each other . Metaphors, allegories all entwine to entice the viewers response. A fragmented vernacular comes together in unexpected ways to shape the visual experience. The contextual ambiguity of the imagery is developed to lend a poetic resonance. These ciphers and glyphs queue the viewer to a chronicle yet to be interpreted.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
I would suggest finding a job that you like with people you like to be with and pays enough for your needs. Time is the ultimate currency so use it well. Making a living off of you creative efforts is difficult especially if you are pushing ideas in to new and relevant areas in contemporary art. The worst thing you can do is waste your creative energy on doing something that is enervating and soul sucking just for the sake of money.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
www.stevegibsonstudio.squarespace.com

Contact Info:

• Website: www.stevegibsonstudio.squarespace.com
• Email: stevegibson46@mac.com

Image Credit:
Steve Gibson

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