Today we’d like to introduce you to Zipporah Camille Thompson.
Hi Zipporah Camille, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
As a tiny kid, I grew up making and illustrating a series of horse books and creating botanical illustrations with my artist father and immersing myself in every book possible with my librarian mother. Deeply inspired by the fondest memories of freedom, fantasy, and adventure, exploring my family’s land, hiking trips, and collecting rocks, my work examines landscapes, histories, and identities through sculpture and installation. A North Carolina transplant, I’ve made home here in Georgia by way of grad school in Athens at The University of Georgia (GO DAWGS!), where I received my MFA focusing in textiles, ceramics, and art history.
With deep Carolina roots, I explore alchemical transformations through clay + textiles, uplifting marginalized bodies and eliciting social change through my work. My craft-based practice sparks hope, joy, and triumph for black, brown, and indigenous folx of color through “make-do” culture, weaving together something from nothing despite sustained oppression and displacement.
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?
No way! As a Black woman especially! The road is set up for you to fail; societally, the road is laden with road bumps, craters, potholes, and every other challenge in the book that really requires you to find strategies that help you stay focused, and grounded.
There have been times I had to patchwork so many part-time jobs together just to barely make it; times in which I’ve lost it all, including myself; times I didn’t want to get out of bed; times my body endured challenges; times where my credit card was maxed out and my accounts only had a dollar or two in them. All of this has helped me grow stronger mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally, and has really shaped who I’ve become.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
The more materials, the better! I’m all about high texture, bizarre surfaces, exquisite details, and give me all the glitter and sparkle! Clay, cotton, rope, hair weave, tape, bones, antlers, and fluorescents are a few of my favorites. I love mixing soft and hard, shiny and matte, malleable and rigid; it’s all about juxtaposition and balance! In the studio the mantra is everything is sacred, nothing is (too) precious!
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’m forever grateful to my parents, bestie-of-a-sister, and family that believe in me and my work and have been there since day 1! Had it not been for my awesome mentors and professors at The University of Georgia and in North Carolina, my research and practice would not be where it is today.
I’m truly blessed to be in good company at whitespace gallery here in Atlanta, GA. Susan Bridges believed in me before I entirely even believed in myself post grad-school. I couldn’t have asked to know and work with a better gallerist, supporter of my work, advocate, and all-around intelligent/magical/beautiful person!
Last and certainly not least, my biggest cheerleader, Nic!
Contact Info:
- Website: zipporahcamille.com
- Instagram: @zipporahcamille
Image Credits
TW Meyer Lain York Mike Jensen Kasey Medlin
