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INTERVIEW EXCERPT WITH JAFFA LAMIf you wish to listen to the full version of the audio file in Cantonese, please click the play button.
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Q: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS IN THIS BUILDING?
A: Artists work alone but not in droves. They always have their own space. Artists in droves are atypical yet exist. They were already classmates sharing a studio before they moved in, or graduates from the same institutes would share a studio as they belonged to the same community. Later due to different reasons, they rent different apartments like cell division. This is how their friendship developed, not established after they move in.
Q: How do you view the relationships between you and other active/sociable artists here?
A: I would not say I do not want to integrate into the circle, but due to some factual reasons like I would prefer to devote myself into creative works and reading books. I have too many things want to do and grudge wasting time on social gatherings like drinking.
Q: WHY DON’T YOU JOIN THE FOTANIANS OPEN-STUDIO EVENT?
A: I am willing to give a presentation or some sharing, but I don’t like being ‘titled’ as Fotanian. I work here purely because I need space. Friends or people visiting me in education purpose are welcomed. But I do like the concept of “open day”. My art works are site-specific so it’s weird to see them in studio. The true image of a studio of an artist is messy. I cannot control how people think, so I decided not to open my studio to public.
Q: Do you think the studio of artists should be opened to public as art space?
A: I think it depends on needs of different people. If I have one more studio like this, I may open it as a display room. Now the thing to ‘open’ is actually not a studio but a show room. They are totally different.
Q: Do you think the gathering of artists in this area is good or bad?
A: The artists work here because of the yearly open studio event, making the event related to interest. I do not like this kind of thing. I like friends gathering around but if it is related to interest, I wouldn't prefer. To me, it is about personal principle. I don’t like benefiting from the association.
Conclusion
Jaffa is such an independent artist devoted to her creative works much. Though she does not hold a very positive attitude towards “open-studio”, she supports the development of art education in other places.The Art industrial area in Fotan has high inclusiveness that suitable for different artists to stay and work.