Today we’d like to introduce you to Abigail Tankersley.
Hi Abigail, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, the arts were really the only subject in school that interested me. I moved to Savannah in 2018 to pursue a BFA at the Savannah College of Art & Design. I very quickly was drawn to the fibers program at SCAD and instantly fell in love with the world of textile design. The fibers community at SCAD is an extremely supportive group of people, which gave me the confidence to chase a career in fine arts. I am now happily working in the studio, focusing on contemporary art through machine knitting and sculpture.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I don’t think it’s ever a smooth road to pursue one’s passions, but I think challenges are a super important part of the journey. Every personal struggle I’ve gone through during my life and career has served as an inspiration to the subject matter within my work. Whether it be personal mental health, financial insecurity, the state of society, or whatever really, I try to find the purpose of struggle and use that to grow.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently focus on contemporary art through mediums such as machine knitting, sculpture, painting and beadwork. I also make an effort to experiment with new mediums frequently and have some fun expanding my practice. I am mostly known for my large-scale soft sculpture and knit “painting” series, “Thoroughly Transfigured Beings,” that’s definitely to be expanded upon in the future. Otherwise, I am typically recognized for my artistic style, which tends to be very childish and colorful, with an effort to create a conversation around the beauty within struggle. I am really proud of how my imagination has grown over the years and the way I have managed to find inspiration in the really ugly parts of life. I am at a point where I set my mind to my ideas, no matter how challenging and figure out a way to bring them to fruition. I try to set myself apart from others by focusing largely on love and positivity while making sure to shed light on the not-so-positive aspects of life.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Although the Covid-19 Crisis has changed our world in a lot of ways and by no means is considered a good thing, everything we’ve been through as a society during the pandemic has shown me that horrible situations really do happen for a reason, and there’s always some kind of silver lining. I was given a lot of opportunities and was able to pursue things that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible if the past few years had been completely normal. I prefer to have compassion for everything that the world has been going through while also recognizing that my privilege and all the blessings in my life give me the opportunity to make a positive impact.
Contact Info:
- Website: abigailtankersley.com
- Instagram: @abisnailtankersley
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQxJJaFzXp8
