This is our latest installment of artist Don Porcella's concept of a 10 part question and answer format interview of contemporary artists that he comes into contact with through his practice, art fairs and exhibitions. The following interview is with Ai Kijima. Ai was born and raised in Tokyo, Japan. At an early age, Kijima's grandmother taught her how to sew, crochet, and knit, and she soon developed a life-long love for fabric. Now, Kijima's works incorporate vintage fabrics and other materials that she collected over the years from flea markets and thrift shops in the United States and Japan

The interviews are based on a set of ten questions that bring us insight into the artists work, history, and vision.

Q. What brought you to art or what brought art to you?

A.  I wasn't fully aware of my potential to become an artist while I was in Japan.
Although I loved making clothing and all kinds of crafts as well as
drawing cartoons, my parents and relatives thought I would become a doctor when I was a child. At my high school senior year, I became an foreign exchange student in Wisconsin.  My art teacher there recommended art school, and I subsequently studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.I think the process of making art helps me to identify my psychological conditions and transform myself back to my original state.

Q. What was your first art experience that you can remember?

A. I made a torn paper mosaic when I was in kindergarten. I remember that I tried to make a pretty picture to make my teacher and parents happy, but knew it was not good. I wasn't particularly good at expressing myself at that time.

Q. What influences your art?

A.  Everything around me.

Q. Where did you grow up/how has that location impacted your work?

A.  I grew up in the western part of the ward area of Tokyo. It's a quiet residential area and has its fair share of greenery with many beautiful parks and fields.  Also, it's a convenient location for getting into the middle of the city. As a result, my work both embraces the mundane and nature.

Q.  Is art learned or are you born with the talent. What does it take to be
successful in the arts?

A.  You can learn certain things, but it's important to know who you are and how you can contribute to others. Passion and commitment are important aspects to succeed.
 

Q. Do/Did your parents support the idea of you being an artist?

A.  None of my family members were artists/creative profesionals, and they didn't fully understand what I was doing abroad, but they were supportive about me being creative.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A.  I don't really have hobbies. I guess collecting fabric/materials is my hobby, but it's also a part of my art making. I go to see art at museums, galleries, performances when I have time.

Q. What would you do with a million dollars?

A. I will think about it when I actually get such money.

Q. Do politics belong in art?

A.  Almost everything has some angle of politics, but art is about an artist's vision and their way of seeing things.
 

Q. What artists do you like/collect? Please list your top 5

A. I see work by other artists, but don't have favorites and don't collect art at this point.