OUR THING #1
A Creative Community
Jim Houser makes infectiously appealing paintings and drawings (sometimes on walls, sometimes on skateboards) and is the creator of a crew of cartoon-like creatures whose reputation often precedes him. His artistic accomplishments include doing work for Toy Machine and exhibiting at Merry Karnowsky Gallery in Los Angeles, after having his first solo exhibit in 1998 at, cough cough, Space 1026.
space1026.com
First off, state your name.
Jim Houser
How long have you lived in Philadelphia?
I have lived within the city limits since around 1998, but I am from the suburbs. I grew up in Springfield, Delaware County.
As an artist, what made you choose Philly?
Everybody I knew or cared about lived here.
Is there anything that you consider inherently "Philly" about your art?
It does the best that it can with the resources it has access to.
What was your first show in Philly?
"REVENGER" at Space 1026. I think in 1998.
Who supported you along the way? Who supports young artists in Philadelphia now?
Shelley Spector, then and now. Alex Baker—it's a shame for the city that he moved away. All the people who ever came to an art show and bought a painting, so I could buy groceries and put a roof over my head. Philadelphia has always had a wonderful amount of people between 20 and 30 years old who are invested in the art scene and are buying art that they like. People seem to start art collections here at a younger age than other places, perhaps because things are more affordable.
Is there a connection between your work and music?
I am terrible at explaining how or why I work, but there is a connection, maybe a poetic one. There is a certain poetry to music, even instrumental music. I am drawn to repetitive themes, ones that degrade or evolve organically. I make music in my house, the same way I make paintings in my house. I am not a person that is drawn to performing on a stage or anything, I just like playing around and making music. It's just a slightly different creative release from painting, it fills a need.
Space 1026 helped spawn a movement of Philly artists working in collectives. What's your take on that?
Eggs require nests.
Do you have any advice for collectives that want to be like Space 1026 but are just getting started?
Give away your art. Steal everything else.
Philly: Better with Allen Iverson or without?
I miss Allen. I watch a lot of Nuggets games. The Sixers team from the year before they went to the finals was my favorite team of all time. I miss Aaron McKie too.