ANNA LIBER LEWIS: @annalogue18

How would you describe your artistic practice in 3 words?

Urgent, vibrant, defiant.

What has been the highlight of your career so far, and what is something you’re committed to fulfilling?

The highlight of my career so far has been working with people I love and respect such as my friend Kieran Hebden aka Four Tet. I feel very lucky that I have met some really good people along the way who believe in me and this helps me trust my gut, follow my interests and keeps my practise moving and not stagnating.

What has been your experience of the art world so far, and what do you believe needs to be changed?

The art world is full of so many different pockets of art worlds that it is almost impossible to answer this. I have a very different experience of what I considered to be the ‘art world’ when I was in my 20s: attending private views as a young graduate. Looking back that world felt chaotic and unsafe. Now as a more mature woman I navigate the world in a very different way and I chose to surround myself only with good people and swerve the toxic ones. What needs to be changed is the same thing that needs changing in all aspects of the world: readdressing power inequalities. We still have a long way to go: giving women, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ, and marginalised people an equal place in positions of power so as to protect the most vulnerable in society.

If you could have a meal with any artist from any time: What would the meal be, Who would the artist be and why?

I recently found out that I’m Celiac and I’m already a vegetarian, so I’d outsource that meal to a top chef who could create the most delicious meal with the restrictions I have. I’d want to have that meal with Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell and Prince. Music is so important to me and I often use it as a force to drive me work. But this question was the hardest for me to answer. I’m sure I’d answer it differently on another day. I’ll probably kick myself and wish I’d said someone else, but I reckon that would be a pretty lively and intimate dinner party.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

I’ve been given many good pieces of advise and I think I have also developed quite a good internal compass for following my intuition. However before my dad died he said to me ‘Anna, just keep painting.’ I think that’s pretty good advise. He also gave me a birthday card one year that I kept which has the quote ‘well behaved women seldom make history,” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. That’s also nice to have knocking around.

Finish this sentence: I can’t live without….

Honestly; my wonderful son and good friends. It’s all about the people that have your back and accept you for who you are. Oh, and mascara and a good haircut!

What is your guilty pleasure?

I have been working on letting go of guilt and shame. It’s not good for you to hold onto guilt. I just want pleasure and my pleasures are pretty simple and straight forwards these days. How about a nice take out coconut flat white and some dark chocolate?

Who are you favourite contemporary artists and their Instagram tags?

Too many to mention here, but here’s a little selection and not all great artists are on Instagram! 

Marina Adams @marinaadams

Helen Beard @helenbeardart

Patricia Treib

Ida Ekblad @idaekblad

Carmen Herrera

Mary Heilmann @maryheilmann

Lynette Yiadom-boakye

Peter Halley @peterhalleystudio

Chris Martin @chrismartin

Alvaro Barrington @alvarobarrington

Ansel Krut

Stanley Whitney @stanley.whitney

Etel Adnan @etaladnandaily

Dona Nelson

Anthea Hamilton @hamiltonanthea

Jason Evans @jasonevansfoto

Sally Kindberg @sallykindberg

Amy Silman

Charlin Von Heyl

Laura Owens

Carroll Dunham

Vito Acconci

Eva Hesse

Agnes Martin

Sonia Delaunay

Forrest Bess

Kerstin Bratsch