OYSTER
With a focus in poetry, long-form fiction, and essays, Oyster’s artistic endeavors are a testament to their passion and dedication to the arts. Oyster’s artwork portrays a message of radical beauty. It embodies revolutionary patience, feminized violence, and modern-day patron saints. Their work serves as an incantation for joy, demanding its abundance and perpetuity. From a young age, they knew they wanted to be an artist. Their parents nurtured their interest in art by frequently taking them to museums, particularly the Wadsworth Atheneum, which played a significant role in shaping their artistic sensibilities. “I was obsessed with the surrealist works they had there, particularly one from René Magritte’s series “Memory,” that displayed a white bust bleeding from the temple. I was fascinated and horrified by it and could not really comprehend what it meant as a child but the work produced such an intense feeling that I would end up pursuing in the creation of my own work as an adult.”
When Oyster gained admission to an art school at the age of 17, they were faced with financial constraints. Administration informed them that they needed to come up with a few thousand to cover their tuition balance and additional expenses for camera rentals and supplies. In a time when Backpage, an online platform, was still available, Oyster turned to sex work to quickly earn what they owed. Despite successfully paying their tuition and attending classes, the attraction of immediate financial stability influenced their decision to leave school after a single semester. This made it difficult for them to fully commit to their studies. As a result, they now navigate a delicate balance between their creative work and sex work, with each sustaining the other in different ways. While they do acknowledge the potential benefits of a formal art education, they have honed their craft through workshops led by respected poets such as Elaine Kahn, Ben Fama, and Chariot Wish. These experiences have provided them with valuable tools to refine their art and writing outside of traditional educational institutions.
Oyster highlights the profound influence that relationships with other artists have on their creative process. Their work is deeply shaped by these personal connections, serving as a significant source of motivation and inspiration. Oyster specifically mentions participating in poetry workshops led by Elaine Kahn, where students form groups to read and provide feedback on each other's work. This collaborative environment proves immensely helpful for editing and refining their own artistic pieces. Witnessing the evolution of others' work, from its initial stages to its eventual fruition, fills Oyster with a sense of wonder and admiration. They also have a beautiful partnership with their husband, Josh Atwood, who possesses culinary talents. This has led to the creation of immersive dinners, blending their talents in a harmonious way.
Oyster shared an invaluable tip they had learned from Rachel Rabbit White after a weekend party at Rachel’s house. “A tip for feeling productive in a hangover that I use all the time. When the house is trashed, your brain fried, and cruel sands of time slip through your fingers as you struggle to order a midrate egg sandwich on your phone… the only thing to be done in order to save a day already half over is to put on the Criterion Collection and watch a couple of films. The key to this though is that you need to dedicate your whole focus to the film, no multitasking or outside interferences, you have to be quite strict on it in order to fall into the film. To be inspired by other art you have to totally allow yourself to do it, but when you allow it, it’s like automatic writing.”
In 2020, Oyster embarked on a creative journey that resulted in the creation of seven captivating short poems centered around the intriguing themes of cardinal sin and sex work. Within a few months, this idea evolved into a full-fledged artistic endeavor, thanks to the incredible talents of photographer Jen Senn and the participation of their dear friends who modeled for the project. This collaborative effort turned into a remarkable 60-page art book, titled SINSINSIN. "It’s taken two years start to finish but I’m so unbelievably proud of myself".
Oyster reflects a deep connection between their creative endeavors and the world around them. They express a belief that all their experiences seamlessly merge together, influencing their artistic output in a profound way. Oyster perceives their creative process as an osmosis, suggesting a porous and absorbing nature where ideas and inspirations flow effortlessly. This approach is particularly evident in their poetry, where they embrace a more passive role, allowing creativity to flow through them. Oyster’s perspective of being a channel for creativity highlights a sense of surrender, acknowledging that they are merely a vessel through which artistic expressions manifest. This surrender sometimes relinquishes their control over the final outcome, emphasizing the unpredictable and organic nature of their creative journey.
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