10 Questions with Robyn Gibson

1. If you had a warning label, what would yours say?

“Construction Zone: Authorized Personnel Only” or just “Beware…”

2. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t tried yet? 

I haven’t traveled out of the country yet. I have my passport, now I just need to save money and book a trip. 

3. What do you like to listen to while working in your studio? 

It depends on what I’m working on. Most of the time when I’m drawing I listen to music. While creating work for this show I listened to Kendrick Lamar’s latest album and a playlist my good friend Natasia helped me curate years ago. My mood and the subject matter of my drawings also play a role in the music I choose. If I’m going into a drawing knowing I want to draw boxers I need hype music that either has a fun feel or an “I’m ready to fight” feel. If I don’t really know the subject matter, I’m probably listening to something a little more mellow like R&B or neosoul. 

When I’m hand building or sculpting I might listen to music, but that’s usually when I catch up on my podcasts or listen to a show. Most of the podcasts I listen to are storytelling podcasts. There’s one called “Levar Burton Reads” where our favorite storyteller picks his favorite short stories to read. I also have a couple of DND podcasts that I like to listen to. It’s so interesting to me that as I wrapped up one of the podcasts’ campaigns I was wrapping up what I needed to do for this exhibition. 

4. Do you think dreams have hidden meanings? 

I think some dreams have hidden meanings and even messages. I consider myself a spiritual person, and I have gotten guidance from not only my dreams but dreams from family and friends as well. I also think dreams can be a manifestation of our psychological selves…the things that are being processed subconsciously. I also think dreams can be completely nonsensical. Either way you slice it I think dreams are very interesting. I have dreams that I remember from years ago that have stuck with me, and at the same time if you ask me what I dreamt of last night I doubt I could tell you. 

5. What is your favorite article of clothing?

I have two answers for this. The first is, anything my mom makes because I guarantee it makes me look good. The second is my hoodies. I have several and it’s hard for me to choose which one I like best because they all have a certain quality that I like. I wear a hoodie almost all year round. My mom altered a few crop hoodies for me so yes they look good and I can wear them even in the summer. 

6. Where do you go when you need fresh inspiration? 

I don’t necessarily have a specific place I go to, but do like to find spaces of rest often near water. A change of scenery is always nice for new insights. 

7. What do you daydream about?

I think a lot about how to create and maintain community, specifically how to rebuild the West End into a place where the neighborhood and its residents are not merely surviving but thriving and are able to work to develop one another and our spaces. I also daydream about a lavish lifestyle that consists of traveling, renovating my mother’s family home, creating a sustainable garden in the backyard, creating art in a modest waterfront warehouse studio with tons of natural light and moveable walls, while living in a beautiful brownstone in Harlem that I own outright. I commute back and forth between Louisville and NYC, of course. 

8. What do you think happens after death?

We move from this plane of existence to another. I’m a Christian, so I do believe there’s a heaven. I believe humans are more than our bodily vessels and conscious minds…we also contain Spirit. The Spirit doesn’t die when we lose consciousness. 

9. What would be the title of your memoir?

I’m Glad I Kept Going

10. Do you have a personal motto, mantra, or philosophy on life?

Pay attention, be thankful, and live life with Love.