Could you talk a little about your process with the photo collages?
The process of creating a collage is pretty much intuitive. I always start by opening up an empty Photoshop file, without any particular theme or goal in mind. I like the tools available in Photoshop, which allow me to combine and transform images in ways that are surprising and not possible in “analog” approaches to collage-making. I have a large file of images selected from the internet, many of which were found on sites that feature works in the public domain (the New York Public Library’s digital collection is a common source). I might start by importing an image to Photoshop that appeals to me on some level. After a lot of trial and error, I will build the collage from there by adding, subtracting, and manipulating the files until I find a combination that feels “right” to me; I respond primarily to the shapes and colors created by this combination. Any titles for finished collages come intuitively as well.
What draws you to a particular image or source material?
I am usually struck by some element in an image that resonates with me. It might be a design choice by the originator of the image—a color or shape—or something that suggests the image would make good social or political commentary if properly interpreted by and combined with other images.
What poet/artist has had the most influence on your work?
So many visual artists have informed my work that I don’t think I could name one individual, but Barbara Krueger, Robert Rauschenberg and John Baldessari come to mind immediately. The works of contemporary poets Anne Carson, Diane Seuss, Ada Limón, Ocean Vuong, Tracy K. Smith, Eileen Myles, Louise Glück, and Wisława Szymborska have all influenced me.
Do you have any projects, forthcoming publications that you want to share with us?
No publications forthcoming, but here is a link to my soundscapes website on Bandcamp: https://richardfox.bandcamp.com/music
In what area has your work evolved most significantly?
Music composition is new to me (been doing it for 10 years or so), so this is an area in which I feel I’ve made significant, recent progress.
Black Stone / White Stone 