Interview with Drew Leshko by Don Porcella
This is our latest installment of artist Don Porcella's concept of a 10 part question and answer format interview of contemporary artists that he comes into contact with through his practice, art fairs and exhibitions. The following interview is with Drew Leshko, an artist from Philadelphia that Porcella met at NEXT Art Fair in Chicago.
The interviews are based on a set of ten questions that bring us insight into the artists work, history, and vision.
Quoting the artist the images are of Leshko's "newest sculptures of Philadelphia row homes that were converted into businesses (lower tier of the commercialism food chain). This is a documentary project whereas the buildings are recreated in dollhouse scale 1 inch = 1 foot. The sculptures are mainly paper. 48"x 48" x 40"
Q. What brought you to art or what brought art to you?
A. My grandmother is a very good painter and i believe that any ability and patience was inherited directly from her.
Q. What was your first art experience that you can remember?
A. My first art experience was definitely in 4th grade. There was a county-wide drawing competition to re-design the White House. A few
months later, I received a letter from the President Bush Senior stating that my drawing won the contest. There was no prize, just a letter that he didn't even sign, it was a crumby stamp.
Q. What influences your art?
A. The everyday mundane, quick fixes, and DIY remedies, architecture, art history.
Q. Where did you grow up/how has that location impacted your work?
A. I was born in Baltimore, but feel that Philadelphia has more directly influenced my work. In my current series, I am recreating Philadelphia row homes that have been converted to businesses. Focusing on the lower tier of the commercialism food chain due to the abundance of these businesses in my neighborhood, i am creating a 3 dimensional archive of these ugly renovations.
Q. Is art learned or are you born with the talent. What does it take to be
successful in the arts?
A. I believe that one is born with the ability, patience, and work ethic necessary to create quality work. In my opinion, technique is learned,
but in order to employ the technique, one must have the dedication and determination that is found within.
Q. Do/Did your parents support the idea of you being an artist?
A. My family has been very supportive of my artwork. It is really funny to see my parents, who are devout Catholics, getting really excited about my new sculptures of porn shops.
Q. What are your hobbies?
A. I love my track bike. If I'm not in the studio, I'm probably at a flatland spot in Philly.
Q. What would you do with a million dollars?
A. I would pay the bank for the balance of my house, but i don't think that I would move. I would upgrade my studio space and not have to
worry about working to fund my artwork. I would finally get new glasses, maybe two pairs.
Q. Do politics belong in art?
A. Sure. But it often seems bland.
Q. What artists do you like/collect? Please list your top 5
A. I have collected work from Tobias Waite (1st solo show this spring at Richard Heller, LA), Erin Murray, John Garrett Slaby (not to be
confused with John Slaby), Jason Lazarus, and Matthew Albanese.
